Temple of Olympian Zeus
Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Greek temple in central Athens, Greece
Description
The Temple of Olympian Zeus is an ancient Greek ruin in central Athens, located around 500 meters southeast of the Acropolis. Today 15 tall columns of the Corinthian order remain standing, carved from the white Pentelic marble of the surrounding mountains and each about two meters across.
History
Construction began in the 6th century BC under the Athenian tyrants, but the project lay dormant for centuries and was only completed under Roman Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD. Hadrian dedicated the finished sanctuary and erected a huge gateway beside it that still survives today.
Culture
The temple was dedicated to Zeus, chief god of Greek mythology, and its Pentelic marble columns display the Corinthian style with elaborately carved capitals. Visitors can walk among the remains and see how the monumental architecture once demonstrated the power of Athens and Rome.
Practical
The archaeological site opens daily for visitors and lies just a five-minute walk from Akropoli metro station. Visitor numbers are lower in early morning or late afternoon, and the light falls especially well on the columns at those times.
Did you know?
A sixteenth column has lain on the ground since a storm in 1852, and the individual marble blocks are still arranged in their original order. Visitors can examine the construction technique up close and see how the drums were stacked without mortar.
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Athens offers numerous locations for photography that range from ancient structures to modern urban spaces. The Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus rank among the city's most significant archaeological sites, while neighborhoods like Plaka and Anafiotika provide narrow streets and traditional...
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