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What are caryatids, and where can they be seen on the Erechtheum?
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Athens
The Acropolis and surrounding area, Athens.
In classical architecture, a caryatid is a draped female figure used as a structural support in place of a traditional column. These figures are sometimes referred to as korai, or "maidens".12
On the Erechtheum, located on the Acropolis of Athens, these six figures are featured on a dedicated porch. Constructed between 420 and 415 BCE, this porch is considered the most celebrated example of the use of caryatids in ancient architecture.1
Today, five of the original six caryatids from the Erechtheum are housed in the Acropolis Museum, while the sixth is held by the British Museum in London.2