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Temple of Poseidon : An Athenian Temple Dedicated To The God Of Sea
Behold the Temple of Poseidon, perched majestically on Cape Sounion since the 5th century BC. Here, ancient myths, stunning vistas, and sea breeze converge, offering a one-of-a-...
Founded On
440
Quick information
ADDRESS
Cape Sounio, Sounio 195 00, Greece
RECOMMENDED DURATION
4 hours
TICKETS
From € 35
EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD
0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
Fun facts
King Aegeus, father of Theseus is believed to have plunged to his death from the cliff here. After killing the minotaur, Thesaus' ship returned with black sails, which implied he was killed, (which was not the case). A heartbroken King couldn’t take it and jumped from the cliff to his death. The Athenians named the Aegean Sea after this mighty King and loving father.
The Temple was built to honor Poseidon, the god of the sea. In fact, inside the temple stood a 20-foot bronze statue of Poseidon, surviving in parts and preserved in the Archeological Museum of Athens. Being a seafaring nation, Athens had incredible faith in Poseidon and built the temple right near the sea and appeased him with offerings to keep them safe while at sea.
In 1884, German archeologist Wilhelm Dorpfeld discovered that the current temple stood on top of an archaic temple of similar dimensions. It is believed that this archaic temple was razed to the ground by Persians in 480 BC while still under construction. In 479 BC, when the Greeks defeated the Persians, they placed the captured Persian warships at Sounion, as a trophy for Poseidon.
How to Buy Tickets for Temple of Poseidon?
Knowledge Graph
Location: Cape Sounion, Greece
Period Of Origin: 5th Century BC
Temple Architecture Type: Doric architecture
Elevation: 200 feet
No Of Columns: 38 (originally), 16 (currently)
Name Of The Architect: Ictinus (unconfirmed)
First Excavation By: Wilhelm Dorpfeld, Director of German Archaeological Institute
Buy Temple of Poseidon TicketsWhat Is The Temple of Poseidon?
The Temple of Poseidon was constructed between 444 and 440 BC, with 38 columns that rose 20 feet into the air. It also housed a 20 feet tall bronze statue of Poseidon in the hall of worship. The Temple is located at Cape Sounion, which is about 80 kilometers away from the capital of Athens, offering spectacular views of the Aegean Sea. The site was cited as holy ground by Herodotus and Homer, with inhibition of the area dating back to 2800 BC.
According to Greek mythology, Poseidon’s power is second to only Zeus. As the god of the sea, the mariners and fishermen of ancient Greece prayed to Poseidon to keep them safe from storms and shipwrecks and often left animal sacrifices and other gifts at the temple.
What To See At Temple of Poseidon?
- The Temple of Poseidon was built between 444 and 440 BC, by Iktinos, during the Golden Age of Pericles.
- The temple is located approximately 200 meters above sea level on the edge of a rocky cliff offering stunning views of the Aegean Sea during sunset.
- The temple offers an insight into Athenian culture, mythology, and traditions.
- As the first Athenian landmark that can be seen from the Aegean Sea, it was cited as holy grounds by Herodotus and Homer.
Temple of Poseidon Design & Architecture
The temple is built with a hexastyle layout, featuring six Doric columns on the front portico. The columns are made of white marble quarried from the Laureotic Olympus hill. The Doric columns are more slender at the top than at the bottom, making them appear taller than they really are. There are 6 columns on either end and 13 columns on each long side of the temple.
The temple resembles the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus. It is rectangular in shape and has a frieze that depicts the tale of Theseus and the Battle of Centaurs. At the center, just beyond the colonnade, is the hall of worship, a windowless rectangular room. The room also housed a 5-meter tall bronze statue of Poseidon.
Temple of Poseidon Myth & Legends
The Temple of Poseidon has several myths and legends surrounding it.
It is believed that the King of Athens, Aegeus killed himself here by jumping off the cliff. The King had waited at the cliff looking out to the sea for the return of his son, Theseus, and his army. On seeing black sails on the ship, he mistakenly thought that Theseus had been killed by Minotaur. Young Theseus, however, had won the battle but had forgotten to replace the black sail of the ship with white ones, leading to the King’s death.
According to the Greek epic Odyssey by Homer, Sounion is the site where King Menelaus of Sparta buried his helmsman.
Sailors also believed that making animal sacrifices and offerings at the Temple of Poseidon would save them from Poseidon’s wrath, and keep them safe from storms while they were out at sea.
Know Before You Visit Temple of Poseidon
Q. Where is the Temple of Poseidon located?
A. The Temple of Poseidon is located at Cape Sounion, the southernmost point of mainland Greece.
Q. What is the Temple of Poseidon famous for?
A. The cloation was cited as holy ground by Herodotus and Homer, and it has been inhabited by people dating back around 2800 years.
Q. Is the Temple of Poseidon worth a visit?
A. Yes, the Temple of Poseidon is a must-visit for anyone visiting Athens and interested in Greek history.
Q. When should I visit the Temple of Poseidon?
A. The best time to visit the Temple of Poseidon is in the evening, just before sunset.
Q. Who is the Temple of Poseidon dedicated to?
A. As the name suggests, the Temple of Poseidon is dedicated to the Greek God of the Sea, Poseidon.
Q. When was the Temple of Poseidon constructed?
A. The Temple of Poseidon was constructed between 444 and 440 BC.
Q. How far is the Temple of Poseidon from Athens?
A. The Temple of Poseidon is located about 50 kilometers from Athens.
Q. What is the view does the Temple of Poseidon offer?
A. From the Temple of Poseidon, you can catch panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.