On This Day in 1687: Venetians’ Artillery Devastates the Parthenon

On this day in 1687, Venetian forces under General Francesco Morosini laid siege to the Acropolis in Athens, culminating in a historic and devastating event.

That same night, one of Morosini’s artillery shells struck a cache of gunpowder stored by the Ottomans inside the Parthenon, leading to a catastrophic explosion that irreparably damaged the iconic structure, a hallmark of Classical architecture.

The siege occurred during the 15-year-long Great Turkish War, aimed at halting the Ottoman Empire’s expansion into Europe. This conflict included various smaller battles, particularly the Morean War between Venice and the Ottomans, during which Morosini was tasked with capturing Athens.

The Acropolis posed a formidable challenge, as the Turks had fortified the site, and many of their forces lived among the ancient monuments. The Propylaea remained in ruins from a previous explosion in 1656, and the Erechtheum had been converted into a harem. Ultimately, Morosini identified the Parthenon as a critical target, positioning his artillery on Philipappus Hill.

Despite the earlier destruction of the Propylaea, the Parthenon was being utilized by the Ottomans as a gunpowder storage facility, likely underestimating the building’s historical significance as a safeguard. However, on September 26, Morosini fired a shot that struck the powder magazine, resulting in an explosion that caused the cella to collapse, destroyed much of Phidias’ frieze, and toppled many columns, leading to further structural devastation.

Morosini later referred to the strike as “fortunate,” as it resulted in the deaths of over 300 Turkish defenders and allowed the Venetians to reclaim the city. However, their control was short-lived, as they were forced to abandon Athens a year later when a new Turkish army approached. Although they considered demolishing the remnants of the Parthenon to prevent its military use, they ultimately chose to preserve the historic site.