Temple of Hephaestus, Athens
Temple of Hephaestus - Athens Sightseeing Tours, Activities & Tickets | TripTard.Com
Athens is a stunning city that's worth spending some time exploring. With so many things to see and do, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, there are many Athens sightseeing tours and activities available for visitors of all ages.
Temple of Hephaestus
If you're visiting Athens and want to check out one of the most impressive ancient temples, then the Temple of Hephaestus is definitely a must-see! Located in Kolonaki, this temple is home to some of the most iconic sculptures and ornaments in all of Greece. If you're up for some fun activities as well, then consider taking one of our Athens sightseeing tours or activities to experience everything the temple has to offer. From exploring its stunning ruins to trying your hand at some ancient vase painting, there's plenty to do here!
The Oracle of Zeus
The Temple of Hephaestus is one of the most famous and important temples in Athens. It was built by the god Hephaestus, who was patron of craftsmen and blacksmiths. The temple was dedicated to the god of fire, forge, and metalworking.
The temple is located on top of a small hill in the central part of the city. The building is made up of several different parts: a porch, a nave, two aisles, a pedimented roof, and an inner chamber. The porch is decorated with Ionic columns. The nave has three arches and is supported by largeolia (columns with triangular capitals). The two aisles are divided by pairs of columns with Corinthian capitals. The roof is decorated with marble reliefs depicting scenes from the mythology of Hephaestus.
The interior of the temple is quite spacious. The ceiling is decorated with a series of friezes depicting scenes from the mythology of Hephaestus. In the center of the room is an altar dedicated to the god. There are also several statues of Hephaestus located around the room.
The Temple of Hephaestus
Palamedes Gallery
The Palamedes Gallery is a museum located in Athens, Greece. It contains a large collection of Greek sculpture from the 6th to 4th centuries BC. The gallery is named after the comic poet and dramatist Palamedes, who was mentioned by Homer in the Iliad.
The Throne Room
The Throne Room is located on the first floor of the temple, and it's where the god of fire, Hephaestus, was said to reside. The room is decorated with a beautiful red marble floor and walls. The throne itself is made of ivory and gold, and it's decorated with two lion heads.
One interesting feature of the throne room is that it has a hidden staircase that leads down to a secret chamber. This chamber is said to have been used by the god Hephaestus for storage purposes.
Another interesting feature of the throne room is the large number of votive offerings that have been left there over the years. These offerings include pieces of jewellery, tools, weapons, and even animals.
If you're interested in visiting the temple of Hephaestus in Athens, be sure to check out our tours and activities page for more information!
The Fountain of Arethusa
Located in the northeast corner of the Acropolis, the Temple of Hephaestus was originally built by the Athenians in 449 BC. The site is traditionally associated with the god of fire, metalworking, and volcanoes. Highlights of a temple tour at the Fountain of Arethusa include seeing the famous sculpture of a female youth pouring water from her hair, and admiring the elaborate carvings on the architrave and walls.
The Banquet Hall
The Banquet Hall of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens is a beautiful and dramatic space. The design of the domed ceiling and the ornate columns are reminiscent of a palace. The hall can seat up to 1,500 people and is used for special events such as weddings.
To get a sense of the scale of this room, consider that it is almost twice the size of the Parthenon. The banqueting hall was used extensively by the Athenians for ceremonial occasions, such as festivals and court hearings. In fact, Thucydides records that during the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC, an assembly was held here to ratify the terms of peace between Athens and Sparta.
The most famous event to take place in this room was the banquet given by Pericles in 441 BC to celebrate his victory over Eretria. The feast included more than 2,000 animals, including 120 hippopotami and 144 lionesses! Today, visitors can enjoy a meal in the banqueting hall by reservation only.
Athena Promenade
If you're looking for a temple that's both awe-inspiring and educational, the Temple of Hephaestus is definitely worth a visit. Located in Athens' popular Plaka district, the temple is home to some of Greece's most famous sculptures, including the famous Athena Promenade.
The promenade stretches for more than 700 feet and offers stunning views of the Acropolis and ancient ruins. There are also plenty of attractions and shops to keep you entertained while you're on your way, so be sure to stop by for a visit!