The Tower of the Winds | Athens | Greece

Beneath the slopes of the Acropolis of Athens, is what has been described as the most well preserved monument in Ancient Greece. The Tower of the Winds was an ancient clock tower with working sundials precisely carved into each of its 8 sides, and is sometimes known as the big Ben of the Ancient world. Above the sundials, it is adorned with finely crafted representations of the 8 gods of the wind, and the tower once displayed the direction of the wind. Even with all this on the outside of the tower, what was most impressive may have been what was inside. We will explore the theories around this advanced mechanism which was powered by water.
Disclaimer: This video is intended for educational and general informational purposes only. It is not considered a substitute for professional advice or further research. Any action, or inaction, taken by you based on the information contained in this video is at your own risk.
Images used in this video:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Ernst Wallis et al, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
James Stuart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
James Stuart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Pearson Scott Foresman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Vitruve par Perrault, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
WolfgangRieger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
WolfgangRieger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Gryffindor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Prof. Hermann Thiersch (1874-1939), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Ancient Roman art in the Bardo National Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Edward Dodwell, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
James Stuart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
James Stuart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Mary R. Smith, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

[@user-qq8it5if6y]

You moved me. When I was a kid (1955-1962) i used to play hide and seek there.

[@MEitniear111]

Wow, that sentence just blew my mind.

[@AndrewDibb-ro3uz]

Athenian clock and weather widget. No ads, reliable updating.....actually worked.

[@Pan472]

This is probably the most detailed video on such a particular and not that well known monument in my city... Thank you

[@MEitniear111]

This is an amazing video. You put in wonderful effort. Made me really appreciate this.

[@gowanhewlett745]

James…..MARVELLOUS…. Your voice is pleasant, your words well chosen and the images are fascinating. Thanking you.

[@quirkygreece]

An excellent explanatory video, thank you.

[@victoriawilliams6156]

Thank you for this fascinating overview!

[@alexperriman9298]

I walked right by this.. just overwhelmed by everything else to see in beautiful Athens. Thankyou so much! This really made my day, guys. 🤗

[@reachme1609]

Marvelous. Thank you.

[@tinadavy3990]

WELL DONE ! Such an impressive structure ! thank you .

[@j.nilsson5362]

Been looking for a channel like yours for a long time and finally got recommended yours. Great content! Hope you can show more from Greece, most channels focus on roman stuff but there’s so many incredible and interesting places in Greece

[@juelbriggs447]

Wow. I didn't know this existed. Thank you!

[@jupite1888]

Finally a Great video on the Tower, Excellent

[@user-ut8xv8ne6u]

Very, very, interesting! First time to hear about it! Fascinating!

[@jessquinn6106]

Probably my most belove building in Athens. It's something about the depictions of the 8 winds that always drew me to it. (even if 5 of them are Roman counterparts) When I first visited the site, no one was allowed in the area, so you could only see it from the fence parameter.

[@joestitz239]

Fantastic ! :)))

[@user-ft8fg5zw9h]

Thanks a lot dear Sir Panagiotis Athens Greece

[@Breakfast_of_Champions]

Excellent!

[@matinaskamioti5180]

Thanks a lot Very interesting video

[@joestitz239]

Im also interested in the st george galatian agia-tradia 10-8-2019 dig. Where behind an altar what those paintings looked like ??? seen between the cracks Behind the altar. Who painted them ? Can they be shown/copied ? Sold to like pompeii paintings copied for us to buy today :)

[@arditl89]

I visited this but didnt know it was so important and ancient.

[@joestitz239]

I firmly believe the tower was a, greek version of a planetarium. The blue paint n likely stars on ceiling give strong support of internal- intracacies. God it sucks to have the bigger half of it left but all internals gone; while actually all the internal pieces/details were just as big a half !

[@joestitz239]

Who exactly is Andronicos ?? Who drewcthat faint strait line on floor ? Google brings up guy from 1100's. But cant be him. So being an ancient who was he exactly ? Anyone --

[@cartercaden278]

What kind of chisels did they use to carve granite?

[@MC-bu6ez]

Not granite, marble, so iron tools would have been used.

[@srenhenriksen3537]

You forgot to tell how they measured the wind?

[@beanstaIkjack]

1:31