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What caused the explosion that ruined the centre of the Parthenon in 1687?

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The Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece, is illuminated at night, showing its iconic Doric columns and partially ruined structure atop the Acropolis. — Parthenon Night view of the Parthenon, Athens.

The explosion that severely damaged the center of the Parthenon in 1687 was caused by a direct hit from Venetian artillery during a bombardment of the Acropolis.

At the time, the Ottomans were using the temple as a powder magazine to store their ammunition. On September 26, 1687, Venetian forces—led by commander in chief Francesco Morosini—fired upon the site from the Hill of the Muses, igniting the stored explosives and destroying the building's center.123