Kardaki Temple, Ancient Doric temple in Corfu, Greece
Kardaki Temple is an ancient Doric structure on Corfu located within the Mon Repos estate in Palaiopoli. The building has eleven single-stone columns on its longer sides and six on the shorter sides, with wider spacing between the pillars than typical for temples of this style.
The sanctuary was built around 500 BC in ancient Korkyra as part of the island's early Doric temple construction. Its existence became known only in 1822 when British engineers explored the area while investigating a spring.
The temple was dedicated to either Apollo or Poseidon, showing which deities mattered most to the island's ancient inhabitants. Visitors can observe how the building's alignment and placement reflect these religious beliefs of the time.
The site is located within the Mon Repos estate, which is accessible on foot and spreads through the countryside near Palaiopoli. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and expect some uneven ground, as the area remains largely in its natural state.
The temple was built without a frieze, a rare feature for Doric temples that sets it apart from buildings of its time. This unusual design shows how local builders created their own variations when constructing classical forms.
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