Our free walking tour of the Mall and Tidal Basin continues.
Since arriving in D.C., Greg has been seeing Greek temples everywhere. That's not really a surprise since much of the architecture in D.C. is Greek Revival architecture.
During Year 2, Greg had a crash course in Greek architecture during a two week trip across Sicily. Wherever we went in Sicily, we found amazing examples of structures, mostly temples to the gods, from the time 2,500 years ago when Greek city-states controlled the island. From Segesta in the west to Agrigento in the south to Siracusa in the east, we discovered Greek temples, some well-preserved and others in ruins.
The Greek temple in Segesta, in western Sicily, from the 5th century B.C. |
The temple of Concordia in the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, in southern Sicily, from the 5th century B.C. |
While enjoying our free walking tour, Greg spotted perhaps the best example in D.C. of a building based on the design of a Greek temple. Of course, that building is the Lincoln Memorial.
The Lincoln Memorial |
Architect Henry Bacon based his design for the memorial on the most famous Greek temple, the Parthenon in Athens (pictured below). Bacon apparently believed that a building dedicated to a person who defended American democracy should be designed after a building from the birthplace of democracy.
The Parthenon in Athens, Greece (completed in the 5th century B.C.) |
Of course, there are many other examples of Greek Revival architecture in D.C.. Can you identify the building pictured below?
Thanks for sharing Greg's obsession with Greek temples.
Next Up: The end of the 3 hour tour.
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