The Tower of the Winds is located in the Roman Agora of Athens, between the Plaka and Monastiraki neighborhoods. It is a 12-meter-high structure with an octagonal shape and a diameter of 8 meters. It was created from Pentelic marble by the Greek astronomer Andronicus of Cyrrhus, probably around 50 BC.
In ancient times, this tower had many uses. It was originally designed as a sundial to estimate time based on the position of the Sun. It was also used to indicate the weather and predict the weather. The tower is a combination of a sundial, a water clock, and a wind vane. In fact, its frieze depicts eight wind deities according to their direction: Boreas (N), Caikias (NE), Eurus (E), Apeliotius (SE), Notus (S), Gubius (SW), Zephyrus (W), and Sciron (NW).
Inside, there was a water clock, similar to an hourglass, that used water that flowed down from the Acropolis Rock. In early Christian times, the structure was used as a church bell tower. During the Ottoman occupation, it was used as a tekke, a place of spiritual retreat and character formation.
In ancient times, this tower had many uses. It was originally designed as a sundial to estimate time based on the position of the Sun. It was also used to indicate the weather and predict the weather. The tower is a combination of a sundial, a water clock, and a wind vane. In fact, its frieze depicts eight wind deities according to their direction: Boreas (N), Caikias (NE), Eurus (E), Apeliotius (SE), Notus (S), Gubius (SW), Zephyrus (W), and Sciron (NW).
Inside, there was a water clock, similar to an hourglass, that used water that flowed down from the Acropolis Rock. In early Christian times, the structure was used as a church bell tower. During the Ottoman occupation, it was used as a tekke, a place of spiritual retreat and character formation.
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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