Athens, Erechtheion, with Caryatids

The Erechtheion, named for King Erechtheus, a mythological king of Athens, is one of the oldest buildings on the Acropolis. The building’s structure is unique, due to the uneven ground it was built on. Among the reasons it is so special is the six women, all facing south, "holding" up a porch roof with their heads. This porch is known as the porch of the Maidens, or porch of the Caryatids (a supporting column sculptured in the form of a draped female figure), and it is said to stand over a mythical king of Athens.

The Erechtheion became a store for gunpowder, and when the Venetian's were fighting the Turk's, the kegs blew, sending the roof flying all over the site, destroying the Erechtheion and damaging several other buildings as well. The Erechtheion was then completely restored.