Erechtheion (Athens)

Greece / Attiki / Athens
 temple, ancient, archaeological site
The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece, notable for a design that is both elegant and unusual. The temple as seen today was built between 421 BCE and 407 BCE.

Legend has it, the olive tree that grows on the west side of the temple is a descendant of the one planted by Athena when she and Poseidon were in a contest to win the role of protector of the Athenians. Poseidon lost, Athena won, and the first olive tree was her gift to the Greeks. (additional fun fact by --grecodan)

The women statues pictured here are know as Caryatides. The statues which are in the Acropolis are actually, copies of the originals which have been transferred to a museum.
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Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erechtheum
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Coordinates:   37°58'19"N   23°43'35"E