Temple of the Olympian Zeus, Ancient Greek temple in Valle dei Templi, Italy.
The Temple of the Olympian Zeus is an ancient Greek place of worship in Agrigento featuring massive stone blocks, column fragments, and scattered capitals across its rectangular foundation. The ruins reveal the remains of one of ancient Greece's most ambitious temple projects.
Construction started in 488 BC under the ruler Theron following a major military victory that brought wealth to the city. The ambitious project reflected the power and prosperity of Agrigento at that moment in history.
The temple served as a place of worship and demonstrated the wealth and power of the ancient city through its monumental scale. Visitors today can still explore the remains of this religious site and understand how central such structures were to the community.
The ruins remain accessible to visitors within the archaeological park and can be explored on foot at your own pace. Early morning or late afternoon visits work best when the sun is less intense on the exposed stone.
Massive stone figures called Telamons, roughly eight meters tall, were positioned between columns to support the structure instead of using traditional pillars. These giant-shaped supports remain an uncommon feature in ancient architecture and show how creative the builders were.
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