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New Zealand Parthenon replica to head to Athens

Victoria University School of Architecture in Wellington, New Zealand, has produced ten scale models of various aspects of the Parthenon. These are now being shipped to Athens for display in the New Acropolis Museum.

From:
Stuff (New Zealand) [1]

Parthenon heads from Wellington to Athens
By MIKE WATSON – The Dominion Post

One of the world’s most recognisable buildings has been cut down to size by a Wellington architectural lecturer in models to be exhibited in Athens.

Ten models depicting sculptures and detailed sections of the Parthenon and Acropolis have been made by Victoria University School of Architecture and Design lecturer Jeni Mihova, and graduates Jordan Wisniewski and Matt Fraser.

The Parthenon was built between 447BC and 438BC and has dominated the Athens skyline for more than 2500 years from on top of the Acropolis.

It was built to give thanks to Athena, the city’s patron goddess, and has been labelled by historians as the most perfect Doric temple ever built. It measures 30 metres by 70m at the base with columns 2m wide by 10.5m high.

Ms Mihova spent three years researching the joint project between the university and the Department of Information and Education of the Acropolis Restoration Service in Athens. Another eight months was spent building the models, which have been on display until yesterday at Wellington Central Library.

The biggest model is a 2m-by-1m reproduction of the Parthenon’s western pediment. The models will be displayed at the university’s School of Architecture from April 19 until April 29, then in the Acropolis Museum in Athens.