Tavole Palatine, Ancient Greek temple ruins in Bernalda, Italy.
Tavole Palatine are the ruins of an ancient Greek temple in Bernalda featuring fifteen standing Doric columns that still retain their original capitals and entablature. The temple measured roughly 130 feet (40 meters) long and 50 feet (15 meters) wide, demonstrating its impressive scale in the ancient world.
The temple was built in the 6th century BC and marked the boundary between rival Greek cities Metaponto and Taranto during the colonization period. This strategic location made it an important symbol of Greek presence in southern Italy.
The temple was dedicated to the goddess Hera and shows how Greek settlers lived and built in southern Italy. The arrangement of the columns reveals the religious beliefs and craftsmanship of these ancient communities.
The site is easily accessible and situated on flat terrain, making it manageable for visitors of all fitness levels. There is little shade among the columns, so it is best to visit during cooler weather or earlier in the day to avoid direct sun exposure.
Originally the temple had 32 columns total, with twelve along each long side and six at the front and back, arranged according to strict geometric principles. This mathematical precision shows the Greeks' advanced understanding of proportion and symmetry.
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