The ancient Greek civilization is deeply rooted in history as a symbol of intellectual and architectural progress. Among the many cultural icons that adorn this rich cultural fabric, temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses hold a special place. The work of skilled artisans and devout worshippers, these sacred structures have survived to the present day as eternal witnesses to the deep spiritual and artistic sensibilities of the Greeks.
Parthenon (Athens)
Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens is one of the most iconic and well-preserved ancient Greek temples.
The Parthenon is the most famous and iconic temple of ancient Greece, dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and patron of Athens. It was built on the Acropolis hill between 447 and 432 BC, under the leadership of Pericles and the supervision of the architects Ictinus and Callicrates. The temple is a masterpiece of classical architecture, with a rectangular floor plan, a peristyle of 46 Doric columns, and a rich sculptural decoration.
The Parthenon housed a colossal statue of Athena made of gold and ivory, created by the sculptor Phidias. The temple also served as a treasury and a symbol of Athenian democracy and culture. The Parthenon suffered many damages and transformations over the centuries, and today it is partly restored and preserved as a World Heritage Site.
Temple of Zeus at Olympia
Constructed in honor of Zeus, this temple housed the renowned gold and ivory statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, one of the largest and most impressive structures in ancient Greece, was built to honor Zeus, the king of the gods and the patron of the Olympic Games. Constructed in the 5th century BC, it occupied the sanctuary of Olympia, the venue for the ancient games held every four years. Designed by the architect Libon of Elis, the temple featured a peripteral design with 13 columns on the short sides and 6 columns on the front and back.
Additionally, it boasted a magnificent pedimental sculpture depicting the chariot race between Pelops and Oenomaus on the east side and the battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs on the west side. The statue of Zeus, which Phidias created using gold and ivory and depicted Zeus seated on a throne holding a scepter and a Nike (victory) in his hands, was the most well-known feature of the temple. Unfortunately, only a few columns and fragments of the temple remain today, a result of earthquakes, fires, and looting.
Temple of Apollo at Delphi
Located in the sacred precinct of Delphi, this temple was dedicated to Apollo, the god of prophecy, and was a major center for the worship of him.
The Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the most important and revered sanctuary in ancient Greece, was dedicated to Apollo, the god of light, music, prophecy, and healing. Situated on the slopes of Mount Parnassus in the sacred site of Delphi, where the famous oracle of Apollo provided cryptic predictions and guidance, it held a significant place for both city-states and individuals. Constructed in the 4th century BC on the site of a previous temple destroyed by fire, this Doric-style structure featured six columns on the front and back, along with 15 columns on the long sides.
Elaborate sculptured decorations adorned the temple, including metopes showcasing Heracles’ labors (Labors of Hercules) on the east side, pediments depicting the myth of Apollo slaying the Python on the west side, and a gathering of gods on the west side. The interior housed the adyton, the core of the Delphic oracle, where Pythia, the priestess of Apollo, sat on a tripod, delivering her prophecies.
Temple of Hera at Olympia
Another significant structure at the sanctuary of Olympia, this temple honored Hera, the queen of the gods.
The Temple of Hera, or Heraion, is an ancient Archaic Greek structure at Olympia, Greece, dedicated to Hera, the queen of the gods and wife of Zeus. Erected in the 7th or 6th century BC within the sanctuary of Olympia, where the Olympic Games took place, this temple stands as one of ancient Greece’s oldest and holiest. Playing a distinctive role in Olympic ceremonies, it featured a peripteral design with six columns on both the front and back and 16 columns on the longer sides.
Within its confines resided a wooden cult statue of Hera, alongside a table showcasing the olive wreaths awarded to Olympic victors. Moreover, the temple served as the site for igniting the Olympic flame, accomplished through the utilization of a concave mirror to focus the sun’s rays. Due to partial destruction from fire and earthquakes, only a few columns and foundations remain today.
Temple of Hephaestus (Athens)
Often referred to as the Hephaisteion, this well-preserved Doric temple in the Agora of Athens was dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship.
The Temple of Hephaestus, or Hephaisteion, dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of fire and metalworking, is a well-preserved Greek temple in Athens, Greece. Constructed in the 5th century BC on a hill overlooking the ancient Agora of Athens, this temple exemplifies the Doric order. Its features include a rectangular floor plan, a peristyle of 34 columns, a simple pediment, and a frieze depicting the labors of Theseus and Heracles.
Additionally, the temple comprises a pronaos and an opisthodomos with two columns in antis. Inside, a cult statue crafted from bronze depicting Hephaestus and Athena was housed. Over time, the temple served various purposes, functioning as a Christian church during the Byzantine period and later serving as a burial site and museum. Today, the Temple of Hephaestus stands as one of Greece’s best-preserved ancient monuments and is open to the public.
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Though not in mainland Greece, this temple in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey) was one of the Seven Wonders and dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and among the largest and most magnificent in ancient Greece, graced the city of Ephesus on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of hunting and nature, the temple was erected in the sixth century BC by King Croesus of Lydia, with architects Chersiphron and Metagenes at the helm. Sporting a dipteral design, it boasted 127 columns, each standing at an impressive height of 18 meters, arranged in a double row around the cella. The structure featured exquisite sculptural decoration, showcasing statues of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures.
A significant religious and cultural hub, the temple drew pilgrims and visitors from across the ancient world. However, in 356 BC, a man named Herostratus, driven by a desire for fame, infamously set the temple ablaze. Despite this setback, the temple was reconstructed on the same site in the 4th century BC. Unfortunately, it faced subsequent destruction by the Goths and was ultimately dismantled by the Christians. Today, only one column and its remnants stand as silent witnesses to its once-glorious existence.
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, this temple honored Poseidon, the god of the sea.
The Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, a striking and scenic monument in ancient Greece, is dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea and storms. Situated on Cape Sounion, at the southern tip of Attica, the temple offers a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea. Constructed in the 5th century BC as part of the Athenian maritime empire, this architectural masterpiece was designed by the same architect responsible for the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. Sporting a hexastyle design with six columns on both the front and back and thirteen columns on the longer sides, the temple also featured a pedimental sculpture depicting the battle between the gods and the giants.
It served as a landmark and symbol of Athenian power and glory, doubling as a place of worship and sacrifice for sailors and travelers. Unfortunately, today, only 15 columns and some ruins remain, a testament to the passage of time and the effects of weather damage.
Temple of Aphaia (Aegina)
This temple on the island of Aegina was dedicated to Aphaia, a local goddess associated with fertility and agriculture.
The Temple of Aphaia, an exquisite ancient Greek structure, is dedicated to Aphaia, a local goddess associated with fertility and agriculture. Situated on the island of Aegina in the Saronic Gulf, near Athens, this temple dates back to the 5th century BC. It replaced an earlier temple destroyed by fire and follows a peripteral design with six columns on the front and back and 12 columns on the longer sides.
The architectural beauty is complemented by remarkable sculptural decorations, specifically two pediments depicting the Trojan War from distinct perspectives. Serving as a focal point for the religious and cultural life of Aegina, the temple was part of the sacred triangle of temples alongside the Parthenon in Athens and the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. Although well preserved until the 19th century, some of its sculptures were relocated to Munich. Presently, the temple has undergone partial restoration and is accessible to visitors.
Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae
Located in the mountains of Arcadia, this temple was dedicated to Apollo Epicurius and is known for its unique architecture.
The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae stands as a unique and innovative structure from ancient Greece, dedicated to Apollo, the god of sun, music, healing, and prophecy. Ictinus, the architect of the Parthenon, created this architectural marvel in the 5th century BC in the mountains of Arcadia in the Peloponnese. It features a peripteral design with 15 columns on the long sides and 6 columns on the front and back.
Incorporating original and daring architectural features, such as the use of the three orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) within the same building, differentiation of materials, and an unusual plan for the cella and the adyton, the temple showcases the genius of ancient Greek craftsmanship.
Rich sculptural decoration, including a frieze depicting battles between the Greeks and the Amazons, as well as the Centaurs and the Lapiths, adds to its artistic significance. Serving as both a masterpiece of ancient art and architecture and a place of healing and worship for the people of Bassae, the temple underwent preservation efforts in the 20th century. Encased in a protective tent, it now holds the status of a World Heritage Site.
Temple of Athena Nike (Athens)
Positioned on the Acropolis, this temple was dedicated to Athena Nike, the goddess of victory.
The Temple of Athena Nike, a small and graceful structure in ancient Greece, is dedicated to Athena Nike, the goddess of victory. Constructed on the Acropolis of Athens, it graces the right side of the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the sacred hill, dating back to the 5th century BC. Accredited to the architect Callicrates, its design follows an amphiprostyle layout, boasting four columns on both the front and back facades.
Adorned with exquisite sculptural embellishments, the temple features a frieze depicting the battles between the Greeks and the Persians, alongside the renowned statue of Athena Nike. In her hands, she holds a wreath and a pomegranate, symbolizing victory and peace. A testament to the Athenian triumph in the Greco-Persian Wars, the temple served as a site for offering and praying for Athenian soldiers and citizens alike. Despite enduring damage and subsequent restoration over the centuries, the Temple of Athena Nike stands today as one of the Acropolis’s most captivating monuments.
