Hekatompedon
Temple Ancient Athenian temple ruin on Acropolis area
Part of the Acropolis’ archaic building phases, the Hekatompedon refers to an early temple on Athens’ summit; visitors encounter its remains amid the Acropolis ruins and museum displays.
Hekatompedon is the name given to an Archaic temple on the Acropolis in Athens that predates the classical Parthenon. The term refers to one or more earlier stone temples that occupied the site during the 6th and early 5th centuries BC.
On the Acropolis visitors can see the archaeological footprint and surviving architectural fragments attributed to the earlier Hekatompedon structures; much of what is known comes from excavated foundations and stone fragments displayed on site or in the Acropolis Museum.
The Hekatompedon was built during the Archaic period as a substantial stone temple and later altered, replaced or incorporated into subsequent temple phases that culminated in the Parthenon in the 5th century BC. Its remains are interpreted from foundations and scattered architectural members recovered by archaeologists.
The temple site is on the Acropolis of Athens, immediately beneath and adjacent to the later classical monuments that form the core of the Acropolis complex.
- Name and meaning: The name derives from ancient Greek and literally means 'hundred-foot', a reference to the temple's approximate length of about 100 feet (roughly 30 metres).
How to Get to Hekatompedon #
The Acropolis is in central Athens and is served by the Acropolis metro station (Line 2). The site is a short uphill walk from the Plaka and Thissio districts and is often combined with visits to the Parthenon, Erechtheion and the Acropolis Museum.
Tips for Visiting Hekatompedon #
- The site is in the Acropolis area - combine with an early visit to the Acropolis to avoid crowds and heat.
- Archaeological layers can be crowded with tourists; guides provide context that makes small fragments meaningful.
Best Time to Visit Hekatompedon #
Visit in spring or autumn for the best combination of light, temperature and crowd levels in Athens.
Weather & Climate near Hekatompedon #
Hekatompedon's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 33°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is warm, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
