Greek Temples are some of this world's greatest treasures. Though they primarily serve as historical relics and picturesque ruins nowadays, you can't deny their magnificence. There's just something about the Parthenon in Athens that will take your breath away. Or how the Temple of Poseidon will have you feeling nostalgic for a time when you weren't even born yet. And rest assured that the Valley of The Temples will give you a good case of goosebumps. Greek Temples (or what remains of them) remain a reminder of human history throughout Greece and the rest of the Mediterranean. You'll be lucky if you ever get to see any of them in person!
The Parthenon
No list of the best Greek Temples in the world is complete without mentioning the Parthenon in
Athens. Without even knowing it, this is what will instantly come to mind when you hear the words “Greek Temple.” Its iconic status practically equals those of the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Statue of Liberty in New York City. But what is it, exactly? Today, the Parthenon stands as the ruins of the temple of Athena. Though it's far from its former glory, it's still pretty imposing when you see it in person.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo in the ancient city of Delphi is even more ruined than the Parthenon in Athens yet it remains a must-see for history buffs and world travelers alike! After all, it was one of the most sacred places in Ancient Greece. As the place of worship to the sun god, countless people would travel all the way to this temple to hear oracles or even just prey. The site also served as the venue of the Pythian Games. Contrary to the more famous sporting event, the Olympic Games, these games ventured beyond the realm of sports. They also held competitions in music, art, and poetry.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Temple of Poseidon
Since Poseidon is also among the most revered Greek Gods of ancient times, it makes sense that his temple (or at least, its ruins), made it onto this list. They may be many places of worship dedicated to the god of the sea but the most prominent one is on Cape Sounion. The temple overlooks the sea, making it the perfect spot for the diety to make his presence known to the people worshipping him. And though the site is not as grand as it was once, you can still clearly see how sacred the ancient Greeks saw the place.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Temple of Hephaestus
If you have a free
day to spend in Athens, don't just go to the usual Acropolis and the Parthenon. These Greek Temples are amazing, sure, but there are others worth checking out too. One of which is the Temple of Hephaestus. Located in the Athenian Agora, northwest of the Acropolis, this is actually the most well-preserved temple in the Greek capital. It's not far-fetched to assume that what it looks like now is exactly how it did back in those times. And that's on top of the fact that it was built as far back as the fifth century BC.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Valley of The Temples
Although there are other great temples and ruins in Greece, these last two that are actually in Italy shouldn't be overlooked! The first is the Valley of The Temples in Sicily. Part of
what makes Sicily a great destination is that it's a mish-mash of different cultures, traditions, and influences. As you'd expect, part of that is Greek! The most solid proof is this collection of Greek Ruins in the town of Agrigento. Some of them are so well-preserved, they practically put the actual temples in Greece to shame. Pretty extraordinary, right?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Paestum
Last but not the least, there's Paestum in Naples, Italy. Located southwest of the city, this Greco-Roman site is also a collection of temples. There's the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Neptune, and the Temple of Ceres. Take note that they aren't obscure figures in Greek Mythology! They're the Greek goddess of marriage, the Roman god of the sea, and the Roman goddess of agriculture, respectively. The fact that their temples are right next to each other is already pretty amazing. What more when you get to see their well-preserved and stately appearances in person?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Greek temples are some of the most stunning sites in the world. They're historic, cinematic, and downright fascinating. It's almost unbelievable how some of the are still standing for countless centuries now!
