Overview:

The Temple of Hera at Olympia is an ancient temple located in the northwest corner of the Sanctuary of Olympia in Elis, Greece. It is dedicated to the goddess Hera, the wife of Zeus and the queen of the gods in Greek mythology. It was built c. 600 BC and is one of the most important examples of Greek architecture from the Archaic period. The temple was the focus of some of the most important events of the ancient Olympic Games, including the lighting of the Olympic flame and the location of official sacrifices for the athletes. It is also an important architectural landmark in the history of Greek civilizations, as it is the only standing temple from the Greek Archaic period to survive the Roman conquest. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Greece
Prominent Features:

The Temple of Hera at Olympia is one of the most famous and iconic ancient Greek temples in the world. This temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Hera, who was the wife of Zeus, the ruler of the gods. It was built around the 6th century BCE and it survived until the 4th century CE. It was a grand, ornate Doric structure made of limestone columns with enormous golden sculptures adorning the front. The roof was flat and made with cedar wood that was covered in terracotta tiles. The main focus of the temple was the great hall in the middle, which housed an altar, a fire pit, and offerings were placed on the altar in honor of Hera. The temple also served as a meeting and worship place for the athletes of the Olympic Games, which were held periodically at Olympia. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Greece.

History:

The Temple of Hera at Olympia is the most iconic structure of the entire Ancient Greek site. The temple has been written about since the time of Homer, in the Odyssey, and it is considered to have been built in the mid-6th century B.C.E. on the east side of the sacred Altis enclosure. It is a Doric peripteral temple with 6x15 columns, and it covers an area of 700m². Inside the temple, there used to be two cult statues dedicated to Zeus and Hera, husband and wife in Greek mythology and pair of the most important deities. The Temple of Hera was primarily used as a temple of worship, and it was only in the 5th century B.C.E. that a statue of Zeus was added. It is likely that the statue was moved from the Temple of Zeus located further along the Altis. In addition to being a temple of worship, it also served as a meeting place during the Olympic Games. Winners of each event would go to the temple to offer a sacrifice to Hera. The temple was also used for other religious ceremonies and festivals, such as the funeral of King Oinomaos, whose body was placed on a chariot and paraded around the Altis before reaching the temple. In around 421 B.C.E. a bronze fountain outside the temple was erected in honour of Peisandros, the son of Epiteles, an Olympic victor. The fountain is known as the Magistrate Fountain of Peisandras and it is a testament to the importance of the temple in Ancient Greek society. Today, the Temple of Hera is among the most significant temple sites in the Ancient Greek world, and it’s ruins are part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Olympia. It is one of the most recognizable and iconic symbols of the ancient Greek civilization and its legacy. Visit one of the famous monuments of Greece with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Temple of Hera at Olympia is the largest and oldest Doric temple in Greece, and served as a home of worship and offerings for Hera, the chief goddess in Greek mythology. 2. It’s believed that the site was first used for religious practices as early as 15th Century BC. 3.The temple was originally built in the polo-like ring structure typical of that period, and was later extended and renovated during the 5th century BC. 4. While the temple began in the Archaic period, the majority of the existing remains are from the more recent Roman period. 5. The temple is made of limestone blocks and marble columns, and is decorated with carved sculptures of both mythological creatures and real animals. 6. The temple was worshipped by the Greeks during the Pan-Greek festivals and the site became an important center for religious activity in Ancient Greece. 7. Archaeological evidence suggests that the temple held signifiant treasures within, however these were later plundered by the Romans and only small fragments have been discovered. 8. The Temple of Hera at Olympia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1989. One of the historical monuments of Greece, it tells the story of a bygone era