VASSAL TEMPLE
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Magnificent BC temple dedicated to Apollo Epicourios, but unfortunately covered by a velum for protection.
This5th-century BC temple (Ναός των Βασσών/Naos ton Vasson) is one of Greece's most beautiful ancient monuments. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1986, it is unfortunately covered by a huge protective velum: its limestone columns crumble under the effect of rain and thermal amplitudes. The site was once majestic. Now, at the top of the Vassae/Vasses hill ("the cliffs"), at an altitude of 1,130 m, it's a great white veil. However, the visit allows you to enter under the velum to admire this sanctuary dedicated to Apollo Epicourios ("he who helps"). It retains its upright columns: 15 on the sides and 6 on the façade. It was built around 420-400 B.C. to plans by the architect Iktinos (who also built the Hephaestheion in Athens) by the inhabitants of Phigalia (now Figalia, 13 km to the south-west) after a victory over Sparta and a plague epidemic. But its superb friezes (23 panels) were removed in 1812 and are now on display at the British Museum in London. The site also contains the ruins of ancillary buildings and a temple to Artemis Orthasia (protector of young children), on the summit of Mount Kotilios, 1,230 m above sea level. As you take in the views of the mountains of Elide (to the west) and Arcadia (to the east), remember the French architect Joachim Bocher, who first identified the temple of Apollo in 1765, but was killed by brigands on his return to the site a few years later.
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Certes ça traverse des paysages superbes et déserts.. mais il faut avoir son temps...
Et puis la protection mise en place , ôte toute beauté à ce lieu.
Ensuite, la visite est fort intéressante ;
Autre avantage.. le lieu est peu fréquenté. Nous y étions seules le 10 juillet !!