Temple of Aphaia at Aegina 2

The Temple of Aphaia at Aegina is a Doric peripteral temple dedicated to the goddess Aphaia, who was associated with fertility and childbirth. It is located on a hilltop overlooking the Saronic Gulf, and was built in the 5th century BCE.

The temple is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. It is made of limestone, and has six Doric columns on each end and 12 columns on each side. The pediments are decorated with sculptures depicting the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Troy.

The interior of the temple was divided into three parts: the pronaos, the cella, and the opisthodomos. The pronaos was the entrance porch, and the cella was the main chamber of the temple, where the cult statue of Aphaia was housed. The opisthodomos was a rear chamber that was used to store temple treasures.

The Temple of Aphaia is a significant example of ancient Greek architecture and religion. It is also a popular tourist destination, offering stunning views of the surrounding islands and the Aegean Sea.

Here are some additional facts about the Temple of Aphaia:

The temple was built by the Aeginetans, who were a wealthy and powerful maritime power at the time.
The temple was dedicated to Aphaia, who was the patron goddess of Aegina.
The temple was damaged by an earthquake in the 4th century BCE, but it was repaired and continued to be used until the 5th century CE.
The temple was excavated in the 19th century, and the sculptures on the pediments were removed and taken to the Glyptothek Museum in Munich, Germany.
The temple is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.