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Temple of Hephaestus, Athens

4.8

#3 of 66 in Historic Sites in Athens

Ruin Religious Site

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Little changed in the two millennia since its completion, making Temple of Hephaestus recognizable to many on the northwestern corner of Athens' centrally located ancient agora. Dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths, the Doric temple once stood in the middle of a busy area housing foundries and metalwork shops. Built around 450 BCE of marble carried here from a nearby mountain, the temple features 34 columns and an Ionic frieze portraying the mythical twelve labors of Heracles (Hercules). Christians converted the temple into a church in the 7th century and held services inside until 1833. To gain a better understanding of the ancient world's everyday life, take a guided tour of the temple and the surrounding archeological site. Before you visit Athens, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

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Temple of Hephaestus Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

4,453 reviews

Google

4.8

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4.8

287 likes

• By iviaggidiema

  È sicuramente il tempio meglio conservato di Atene e si può ammirare da diversi punti della città. Si trova all'interno dell'agorà ed è visitabile con il biglietto cumulativo che consiglio di acquista...  more »

  It is definitely the best preserved temple in Athens and can be admired from different points in the city. It is located inside the agora and can be visited with the cumulative ticket that I recommend to buy. Instagram: iviaggidiema
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• By kaosweimaraner

  Muy bien conservado, tiene una perspectiva fantástica para fotos. Es lo mejor conservado de la antigua ágora.  more »

  Very well preserved, has a fantastic perspective for photos. It is the best preserved of the ancient agora.
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Google

• By Tina Firlej

  Beautifully preserved temple of Hephaestus. Unlike other temples that had to be restored by archaeologists, this one remained as built. Amazing piece of history. You can walk around it fairly close. It's a shame you can't go inside, but understandable.

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• By Shane McClain

  Definitely a must see. Probably the most intact temple I've seen all across Greece. Also Hephaestus was the grunt of the gods putting in the real work. So you have to come to appreciate the guy. He freaking crafted Zeus's lightning bolt after all.

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