Monday, August 6, 2012

Preserved Architectural Remnants and Ruins: Temple of Olympian Zeus

Interesting Places I've Photographed
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Athens, Greece
Topic: Preserved Architectural Remnants and Ruins

 
GPS: N37° 58.162; E023° 43.982
 
Quick Description:
The southeast corner and a pair of freestanding columns are all that remain of the massive Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens.
 
Long Description:
The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Columns of the Olympian Zeus, is a large temple ruin located near the center of Athens. Construction began in the 6th century BCE during Athenian rule and it was completed 638 years later in the 2nd century AD under the rule of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Upon completion it was the largest temple in Greece.

The temple fell into disuse following a barbarian invasion in the 3rd century AD and fell into ruins. The stone was quarried for building materials. Today a section of connected columns remain on the southeast corner of the site. To the west are two freestanding columns flanking a fallen column.

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