The Greeks began to build monumental temples in the first half of the 8th century BC. The temples of Hera at Samos and of Poseidon at Isthmia were among the first erected.

Greek temples differed from their Roman counterparts in that the colonnade formed a peristyle around the whole structure, rather than merely a porch at the front; and also in that the Greek temple was not raised above ground level on a high podium.

As the Greeks became more adept at monumental building, regional styles of architecture solidified into what are now the classical orders of architecture: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.

The Parthenon, one of the most famous Greek temples, was dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom. Festivals were held in and around it every year. The Parthenon strongly influenced Roman architecture. After the Romans conquered Greece, many tourists from the victorious country came to view the temples of Greece. Among them was the Parthenon, which quickly became one of the most popular tourist sites in Greece.

Unlike modern places of worship, Greek temples were not designed for group worship, but more as a dedication to a god or goddess, explaining why the sculpture on temples was always right at the top and hard to see - it was built for the pleasure of its deity and not for people.

See also: Roman temple

Ancient Greek architecture | Religious buildings | Temples

Griechischer Tempel | Грчки храм | Templo grego