This location is #23 on our Best Travel Destinations In Greece & Greek Islands Map!
The Temple of Hera, located in Olympia, Greece, is one of the oldest and most significant examples of ancient Greek architecture. Constructed around 600 BCE, the temple measures approximately 164 feet in length, 62 feet in width, and 33 feet in height, built in the Doric style with a rectangular floor plan. It originally featured 6 columns on the front and back and 16 columns along each side, with each column standing about 15 feet tall and roughly 3 feet in diameter at the base. The structure was made primarily of limestone and covered with stucco, with a wooden roof covered in terracotta tiles. The temple’s modest yet sturdy design reflects early Greek engineering, optimized for durability in a region prone to earthquakes, and it housed a cult statue of Hera, the goddess of marriage and family.
Historically, the Temple of Hera was a central religious site in ancient Olympia, closely tied to the origins of the Olympic Games, which began in 776 BCE. Dedicated to Hera, the wife of Zeus, the temple served as a focal point for worship and rituals, including the Heraia, a festival featuring footraces for women held every four years. The temple’s significance grew as Olympia became a major Panhellenic sanctuary, attracting visitors from across the Greek world. Over time, the temple suffered damage from earthquakes and fires, and by the 4th century CE, it was largely abandoned following the decline of pagan worship. Excavations in the 19th century uncovered its remains, revealing much about its original structure and function, though much of the temple has deteriorated, with only a few columns and the foundation still visible today.
An interesting fact about the Temple of Hera is its connection to the Olympic flame. The modern tradition of lighting the Olympic flame begins at the temple’s ruins, where actresses dressed as ancient priestesses use a parabolic mirror to ignite the flame with sunlight, symbolizing continuity with the ancient games. Another notable feature is the temple’s role in housing the Diskobolos (Discus Thrower) statue and other votive offerings, which highlight the artistic and athletic culture of ancient Greece. The temple also contained a massive table, approximately 10 feet long, used to display victory crowns for Olympic winners, underscoring its cultural importance beyond religious functions. Despite its partial ruin, the Temple of Hera remains a powerful symbol of ancient Greek heritage and the enduring legacy of the Olympic tradition.
