Temple of Poseidon

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The Temple of Poseidon was constructed between 444 and 440 BC, with 38 columns that rose 20 feet into the air. It once housed a 20 feet tall bronze statue of Poseidon in the hall of worship. It is located at Cape Sounion at the southern tip of mainland Greece. The first version of the temple was constructed in the archaic period. However, it was destroyed in 480 BC by the Persians during the Greco-Persian Wars. Pericles rebuilt the temple around 440 BC, although only 16 of the original 38 columns remain standing today.

According to Greek mythology, Poseidon’s power is second to only Zeus. As the god of the sea, the mariners and fishermen of ancient Greece prayed to Poseidon to keep them safe from storms and shipwrecks and often left animal sacrifices and other gifts at the temple.

Jacqueline an I visited on a bus tour from Athens. We stayed for the sunset, but it's odd that most people there watched the sunset from the temple with the sunset to the west (as opposed to watching the sunset with the temple in front). I tried to do both 😊

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