Temple of Artemis, Corfu
Artemis, daughter of Zeus and Leto, the twin sister of Apollo, was the Goddess of the Moon, wild animals, chastity, and childbirth. A temple was dedicated to her in Korkyra (Corfu) in about 580 BC. It was found on the land of the Saint Theodore Monastery in the suburb of Garitsa. It was the first all-stone Doric temple.
The temple was peripteral, surrounded by a portico with columns. It had a width of 77 feet and a length of 161 feet. It was oriented to the east so the interior would fill with light at sunrise. The immense rectangular altar was in front of the temple. The monastery was partly built over the altar.
The ruins were first uncovered during the Napoleonic Wars by troops of the French general Francois-Xavier Donzelot as they were digging trenches. German emperor Wilhelm II busied himself with excavations in Corfu. He had an "obsession" with Gorgon Medusa's sculpture on the pediment of the temple.
Only the foundation of the temple and associated fragments remain on the site. Despite this, the found remains were enough to establish an architectural reconstruction of the temple. The pedimental sculptures of the Gorgon, her children Pegasus and Khrysaor, and the flanking guardian panthers are kept at the Archeological Museum.
The temple was peripteral, surrounded by a portico with columns. It had a width of 77 feet and a length of 161 feet. It was oriented to the east so the interior would fill with light at sunrise. The immense rectangular altar was in front of the temple. The monastery was partly built over the altar.
The ruins were first uncovered during the Napoleonic Wars by troops of the French general Francois-Xavier Donzelot as they were digging trenches. German emperor Wilhelm II busied himself with excavations in Corfu. He had an "obsession" with Gorgon Medusa's sculpture on the pediment of the temple.
Only the foundation of the temple and associated fragments remain on the site. Despite this, the found remains were enough to establish an architectural reconstruction of the temple. The pedimental sculptures of the Gorgon, her children Pegasus and Khrysaor, and the flanking guardian panthers are kept at the Archeological Museum.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Corfu. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Temple of Artemis on Map
Sight Name: Temple of Artemis
Sight Location: Corfu, Greece (See walking tours in Corfu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Corfu, Greece (See walking tours in Corfu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Corfu, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Corfu
Creating your own self-guided walk in Corfu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Paleopoli Ancient Ruins Walking Tour
The Archeological sites trace the history of ancient Corfu from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD. The Temple of Artemis Gorgon, located near the monastery of Agoi Theodori Stratias, dates from circa 590 BC. The pediment is thought to be the oldest stone pediment found.
Artemis, in the form of Gorgon, is running as she faces the observer. Her children, Chryssaor and Pegasus, are by her... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Artemis, in the form of Gorgon, is running as she faces the observer. Her children, Chryssaor and Pegasus, are by her... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Corfu Old Town Walking Tour
Poseidon, the god of the sea, was obsessed with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, the daughter of the river god Asopus. Poseidon abducted Korkyra and carried her off to an unnamed island. He called the island Korkyra, after his lady love. This island later became Corfu.
The medieval castles on the island tell of struggles in the Middle Ages against invaders like Roman-era Germanic tribes, Arabs, and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
The medieval castles on the island tell of struggles in the Middle Ages against invaders like Roman-era Germanic tribes, Arabs, and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Things To Do In Corfu, Greece
Greek Islands, such as Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, and many others, are a popular destination for people trying to escape the chaotic lifestyle back home. Corfu is one island that has it all: great weather, tasty food, relaxed atmosphere and an abundance of places to explore. The island...