April Destinations｜Temple of Hephaestus in Athens

The Temple of Hephaestus, located on the Agoraios Kolonos hill northwest of the Ancient Agora in Athens, is the best-preserved Doric temple in ancient Greece. Dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of fire, the temple was constructed in 449 BC. It features 64 granite columns encircling the structure, with remnants of relief sculptures depicting Hephaestus's forge inside the cella. From the eastern colonnade, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Ancient Agora ruins and the Parthenon on the Acropolis in the same frame. Historical Highlights: Starting in the 7th century, the temple was converted into the Church of Saint George by the Eastern Orthodox Church. The last mass was held on February 2, 1833, during the coronation of King Otto I. In 1834, it was restored as an archaeological site, and systematic cleaning in 1934 revealed fragments of 6th-century Byzantine frescoes.