It’s no secret that Greece is full of ancient sites and monuments. Temples were just as frequently built and as venerated in Ancient Greece as churches are in modern ones. And though the most famous and well-known of those is the Parthenon in the Acropolis of Athens, for the dedicated fans of archaeology, history, and exploration of antiquity, there’s a lot more to see.
Besides Athens, Corinth was one of the most important city-states in Ancient Greece. Besides the tremendous importance of Ancient Corinth in trade and politics, it was also a hub for the arts, where architectural and pottery styles were invented that still influence the art world today. One of the most important temples in Ancient Corinth was that of Apollo.
The site of the temple of Apollo is stunning just from its commanding location and the remains of what was once a powerful node of political and religious power will resonate with history. So, if you love history and if you find yourself in Corinth, make sure you visit!
Here is everything you need to know about the Temple of Apollo to make the most out of your visit there:
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A Guide to the Temple of Apollo in Corinth
A Brief History of the Temple of Apollo
While Ancient Corinth was inhabited since Neolithic times, the temple of Apollo was built in the 7th century BC and is one of the earliest examples of Doric temples in Greece. Originally, it was built of stone, bricks, wood, and clay.
However, this early version was destroyed and as Corinth gained importance and wealth, the temple was repaired and rebuilt solidly out of stone. Its imposing structure has been described in detail in the writings of many ancient writers, especially Pausanias, a geographer and traveler in the 2nd century AD.
Temples in Ancient Greece were important centers of religious and economic activity, and there is a strong indication that the temple of Apollo was no different: it had a treasury. It had the authority to impose fines on people for religious transgressions and other matters.
During the Roman period, Corinth flourished again, and the temple was renovated to honor the Emperor and his cult. Later in the Byzantine period, a church (a basilica) was built next to it on Temple Hill. Unfortunately, during the Ottoman period, part of the temple was actively demolished to make room for the residence of the Turkish Bey, which was built partially on top of it.
After that, and throughout modern history, when the temple was no longer in use, visitors and travelers would wonder to whom it was dedicated. It was finally determined from the ancient texts that it was dedicated to Apollo and in 1898, archeologists cleared out the site, leaving only what survives of the temple without any other buildings from the later parts of history.
How to get to the Temple of Corinth
The temple of Apollo is located at that Temple Hill, which is the rock hill rising above the site of Ancient Corinth. The entire city of Ancient Corinth is an archeological site you can visit, and with it, the temple and the Archaeological Museum of Corinth.
There are many ways to get to the site, even if you are mainly based in Athens. You can, of course, go by car through the National Highway of Corinth – Patra. Make sure you’re headed towards Patra and are following the node for Ancient Corinth. The trip by car lasts roughly an hour or so.
You also have many public transportation options, which might be a better option if you want to take in the scenery while you travel. You can take the Suburban Railway if you prefer trains or the Intercity Bus (KTEL) if you like buses more.
If you choose the Suburban Railway, take the Athens International Airport route, with directions to Kiato and Corinth. From there, you need to take a taxi to Ancient Corinth.
If you choose the Intercity Bus, choose the route to Corinth. Once you are there, switch to the dedicated bus to Ancient Corinth.
Finally, the easiest way to visit is by a guided tour from Athens.
I recommend the following: Ancient Corinth Guided Tour from Athens.
The archeological site is open from 8 am to 7 pm for summer but make sure you double-check any scheduling changes on their website. The combined ticket for the site and the museum is 8 euros, and the reduced one is 4 euros.
What to see at the Temple of Apollo, Corinth
There are many things to see at the site of the temple of Apollo so make sure you have an hour or two to invest in it! Here are the main things you should definitely put on your list:
Visit the temple: The temple is one of the few Doric temples that are still standing. It is also one of the oldest ones in the Peloponnese and even all of Greece. Seven of its imposing columns are still standing, so take the time to marvel at them as they are monoliths! That means that each column was carved out of a single block of stone rather than getting pieced together, as the case is in later temples.
While you are there, make sure to also take in the stunning vista and landscape of the entire ancient city. The temple of Apollo had been the emblem of one of the most powerful city-states of Greece, and it still shows.
Explore the surrounding area: Surrounding the temple is the extended site of Ancient Corinth. There are many remains of important structures to see, all properly labeled and described so you can enjoy the site without further need for a guide. Make sure to visit the Ancient Market, the Propylaia, the Peirini Fountain, and a lot more beautiful buildings and monuments that are still there.
Visit the museum: Housed in a beautiful complex building erected for this purpose in 1931, the museum houses all the archaeological finds from the excavations in Ancient Corinth and the nearby areas.
There are beautiful exhibits arranged by historical era, from the Neolithic times to Roman and Hellenistic times. Enjoy audiovisual presentations and some of the rarest archaeological artifacts you can see in Greece, such as the twin kouroi of Klenia.