Tour the Temple of Hephaestus to see one of the best-preserved relics of the Ancient Greeks.
Walk up the small hill from the Agora and be rewarded with the solemn beauty of the Temple of Hephaestus. The building and its surrounding leafy park area offer shady respite from the hot Greek sun. Take your time and wander around the colossal 105-foot-long (32-metre-long) building.
Explore this superb example of Greek architecture and imagine what other classical buildings would have looked like with all their original fittings. The temple’s roof and marble colonnades are intact, and much of the interior is well preserved. Its magnificent condition is a result of its varied uses over the millennia, from Greek temple to Christian church and, in the 19th century, a museum.
Learn about the temple’s construction and history from the signs that surround the site. The signs, written in both English and Greek, detail the temple’s impressive classic architecture and show a precise plan of the building and maps of the site.
As you walk around, notice how the building is divided into three distinct areas. The east end of the enclosure is open, which allows the morning sun to illuminate the altar. Head to the side that faces the Agora to see the finest friezes in the area, depicting the labours of Hercules. The temple also has artwork paying tribute to the Greek god of volcanoes and metalworking.
The temple is located in the Roman Agora and is visible from the Acropolis, its shining white marble peeking out from behind the trees. Admission to the Temple of Hephaestus site is inexpensive, and the site is open daily until mid-afternoon. Thiseio metro station is just a 5-minute walk away, and several local buses serve the area.
