Temple of Athena Nike

Three times this little temple has been completely dismantled and rebuilt, making it archaeology's ultimate jigsaw puzzle. Standing here at the southwestern corner of the Acropolis, you're looking at the smallest temple on this sacred rock, but don't let its size fool you - it's got the most dramatic story of survival. Here's what blows my mind: architect Kallikrates designed this beauty in 426 BC on top of a Mycenaean fortress that was already ancient when he started building! The guy literally built on a 1,000-year-old foundation. And check this out - those three sides drop straight down into nothingness, which is why they had to add that marble safety barrier around 410 BC. Ancient health and safety regulations! The Turks thought so highly of this masterpiece in 1687 that they... completely tore it down and used the marble blocks as cannonball shields. Classy move, right? But here's the wild part - when archaeologists rebuilt it in 1836, it became the very first restored building on the entire Acropolis. As you walk around to the south side, you'll see copies of the famous relief showing Nike adjusting her sandal - the original's safely tucked away in the museum now, because apparently even marble goddesses need protection from tourists' selfie sticks!