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The Temple of Bassae

The Temple of Bassae in Messenia in the Peloponnese of Greece is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

The Temple of Bassae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Peloponnese of GreeceThe Temple of Bassae

The Temple of Bassae (or Vassae) is also known as the Temple of Apollo Epicurius. The name Bassae is an Ancient Greek word meaning 'the little vale in the rocks'. It was the first place in Greece to be included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, even ahead of the Acropolis.

Bassae is one of the least visited of the many important archaeological sites in the Peloponnese. It's in a remote setting in Messenia, about a 20-minute winding drive south of the mountain village of Andritsaina. It's a rugged part of the country, and visiting here is real Greek travel. We spent the night in Andritsaina and drove straight to the Temple of Bassae after breakfast the next morning. It is a truly remarkable place.

Andritsaina

The Mountain Village of Andritsaina near the Temple of Bassae in the Peloponnese of GreeceAndritsaina
Best Base to Visit the Temple of Bassae

Andritsaina is somewhere between a town and a village, with a population of about 2,000 people. Although it's not on the well-trodden tourist trail, it does have a few small hotels and tavernas. It's well worth a night's stay before or after visiting Bassae, for some hearty mountain food, and some great views.

Andritsaina stands at an elevation of 705 m (2,313 ft), with the Temple of Bassae even higher at 1,131 m (3,711 ft).

Google Map showing the location of the Temple of Bassae in the Peloponnese of GreeceMap (c) Google Maps

Visiting the Temple of Bassae

What's unusual about the temple is that it is considered so precious that a huge protective covering has been erected over it, to shield it from the elements, while excavation and conservation work is carried out. It's a very strange experience, as from the outside it looks a bit like a circus tent, and you feel privileged to pop your head inside and see the temple itself.

It's also a very dramatic experience, and the intimacy of being inside the tent with the temple makes the well-preserved building seem all the more impressive and imposing.

History of the Temple of Bassae

The temple was built in the 5th century BC and dedicated to Apollo Epikourios (Apollo the Helper). It's believed to have been designed by the architect Iktinos, who was one of the two architects responsible for the Parthenon in Athens.

The temple was used up until about the 4th or 5th century AD, when the Romans closed what they regarded as pagan temples in Greece. It's unusual in that it has examples of all three styles of Greek columns: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. In fact the Corinthian capital here is the oldest known example in Greece.

As with the Parthenon in Athens, the temple was plundered by the British, including the magnificent frieze. This is now on display in the British Museum in London, alongside the Parthenon Marbles. Is it too much to hope that one day it will be returned and put back in its right place on the Temple of Bassae?

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