Overview:

The Temple of Athena in Assos, located in modern day Turkey, is an ancient Greek temple dating back to the 4th century BC. It is located in a small picturesque bay along the northernmost tip of the country. The temple stands as a prominent archaeological site for understanding the culture of the Ancient Greeks. The temple was initially framed and was later rebuilt in the Hellenistic period. The structure boasts breathtaking architecture with numerous columns, pediments, and a deep drainage system beneath the foundation. It was initially decorated with various sculptures of gods and goddesses, which have since been removed. The temple is presently being restored and its grounds are open for visitors. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

The Temple of Athena in Assos is a famous ancient structure dating back to the 6th century BC. Located on Mount Cymeron overlooking the ancient city of Assos, this temple is one of the most impressive and well-preserved Greek Doric temples of the Archaic period. It was once the center of the Assos state-cult and dedicated to both Athena and Apollo. Its principal feature is its large, intact and elegant Doric order structure, with Ionic columns surrounding a large central court and other smaller areas. Inside, there are a number of artifacts and remains of religious labor. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

The Temple of Athena in Assos is one of the most important and iconic monuments of the ancient Greek city-state of Assos, which is now part of modern-day Turkey. It was constructed in the 5th century BC by Hippodamus of Miletus, one of the leading architects of the ancient world at the time. The temple is located on the south flank of the Acropolis, the highest point of the city, and was erected in honour of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, skill, and war. The most notable feature of the temple is its grand stature: it is one of the largest and most imposing temples of antiquity. Its impressive size became a symbol of the prestige of Assos and of its rich culture. The temple was partially destroyed in 494 BC by the Persian king Darius in an effort to reduce the independence of the city. The temple was eventually rebuilt by the Athenians, and was returned to its original size and form. Although the structure has undergone several changes over the centuries, it has still retained much of its original appearance. Many of the columns and pieces of the pediment are still visible today. The temple also houses an inscription from Hippodamus and remains one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Temple of Athena at Assos, located on the Aegean coast of western Turkey, was built around 550 BC and is believed to have been the first building in Ionia with a vaulted roof and marble columns. 2. When the German Architect Otto Schmied visited the temple in 1899 he found that it had been transformed into a fortress with many of the ancient columns and walls still standing. 3. The temple was built in the Ancient Greek “Ordered Construction” style. 4. According to Greek mythology, the Temple of Athena at Assos was founded by the goddess Athena herself. 5. During the Hellenistic period, it was a major religious site for worshipping the god Apollo. 6. Many of the carvings on the ancient building depict well-known mythological characters, such as Heracles and Eos. 7. The Temple of Athena at Assos falls under the UNESCO World Heritage Site category of “Cultural Landscape of Smyrna and its region” and was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2014. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era