The Ancient Greeks and Architecture

The Ancient Greeks had an influence around the world that is still felt today – from science to philosophy, the Ancient Greeks impact was huge, and architecture was another of the most influential things that the Ancient Greeks brought to the world, continuing to be inspirational to modern architects.

Greek design involved many principles and there are many structures still standing today that you can visit where you can see the style – the most famous place to visit is probably the Acropolis in Athens, a popular attraction for tourists wanting to get a glimpse of Greek Civilization from thousands of years ago.

Greek builders and designers used materials that were available locally to create these impressive structures. Limestone and marble are two materials that particularly featured prominently in Greek architecture. Marble was particularly prized as being a versatile material it not only made beautiful art but was also strong and durable – meaning that you can still see many Greek buildings standing today that are made from marble. Indeed it is a material that hasn’t lost its appeal with time either. Marble tiles are a popular choice, especially for bathrooms and kitchens!

Other materials that were used were timber, mainly for roofing and also metals that added decoration to buildings.

Columns are probably one of the most iconic symbols of Greek architecture and today they are still used all over the world for important buildings to convey grandeur and as a symbol of beauty and prestige.