Although some of the most famous monument ruins in the world are found in Greece, some are so delicate or so ancient that their original form has been almost completely lost. This is not the case with the Temple of Hephaestion, the best preserved in all of Athens. Ready to find out? Here we will tell you all its secrets!
Ancient Greece was an incredible place, as much for its culture as for its art and traditions. Like many other classical societies, the Greeks were polytheistic, that is, they believed in many, many gods, each with a specific power.
One of those deities was Hephaestion, and according to tradition, he was in charge of creating weapons for the other gods of Olympus. Similarly, the blacksmiths and smiths of Ancient Greece worshiped Hephaestion, considering him the main guide of their work.
However, despite its importance, Hephaestion could not compete with the most important gods for the Athenians, which were Zeus, Athena and Poseidon. For this reason, the Temple of Hephaestion was smaller than those that were built for these other deities.
With the passage of time, and with the arrival of Christianity in Greece, the old gods were replaced. But several of the temples where they were worshiped are still standing, rising above the horizon.
Today, the Temple of Hephaestion is still not as popular as the Acropolis or the Parthenon, but it is the best preserved.
It is easy to notice these differences, since the Temple of Hephaestion is not surrounded by the metallic framework that protects other classical structures. Likewise, the original structure is almost completely maintained, and it hasn’t had to go through too many renovations.
In terms of design, it is a typical Athenian temple, with columns and a wide rectangular roof. The columns are made of marble, the same type that was used in the construction of the Parthenon, and the lines with which they were originally decorated remain intact.
The secret of the good condition of the Temple of Hephaestion can be explained in many ways, but the most important of all is that it was, temporarily, a Christian church. This allowed the structure to continue to be maintained, and not to be abandoned for as long as the Acropolis or the Temple of Zeus.
If you already have your trip to Athens planned, and you don’t want to miss one of the best preserved temples in Greece, there are some things you should know.
The first is that the temple is open every day of the year, and although it is not the most popular tourist attraction in Athens, there are many people who come to see it. Keep in mind that the Temple of Hephaestion is considered part of the Ancient Agora, which was the center of government of Classical Athens.
In order to have access to the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestion, you must buy an entrance ticket, which has an approximate value of 8 euros. In addition, Athens is a pleasant city, with a Mediterranean climate, so a walk through its oldest but best preserved areas will be a great experience, which you will surely want to repeat.
Share it:
© 2021 All rights reserved TRIP AIM
Made in ❤ TripAim
