One of Greece’s best-preserved monuments has served a variety of uses over the centuries. Now it stands more or less intact, a testimony to the ambition of the ancients.
A short way uphill from the Roman Agora stands the magisterial Temple of Hephaestus, a colossal structure made from the customary Greek white marble. Escape the heat of the sun with a visit to this vast ancient monument and the leafy parklands around it.
Stroll around the site and take in the solemn beauty of this atmospheric relic. The Temple of Hephaestus is actually one of the best preserved monuments in the country. Take your time to explore the structure slowly, taking note of the classic Greek architecture and imagining how other ancient buildings might have looked if they too retained most of their original fittings intact.
Admire the temple’s roof and marble colonnades, all more or less unchanged. The building’s interior is also very well preserved. Look out for artwork that pays tribute to Hephaestus, the Greek god of volcanoes and metalwork in whose honour the temple was dedicated. You can also see some of the region’s finest friezes, which here depict the labours of Hercules. Visit the enclosure’s eastern end, which was left open so that the altar would be lit up the by morning sun.
The site is surrounded by signs that outline the history and design of the temple in both English and Greek. Learn about the building’s impressive architecture in greater detail, and inspect precise maps of the site. The temple’s remarkably good condition is the consequence of its various uses over the centuries. Since its construction, the site has served as a Greek temple, a Christian church and a 19th-century museum.
Situated in the Roman Agora, the Temple of Hephaestus is easily accessible by public transportation. The area is well served by local buses, and the Thiseio metro station is just a short walk away. The temple is open every day until the afternoon, with a small fee for admission.
