Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion)

Frommer's Review

Hadrian built this massive temple -- or rather, he finished the construction that began in the 6th century B.C. and continued on and off (more off than on) for 700 years. At 108m long and 43m wide (360x143 ft.), the Olympieion, also known as The Kolonnes (The Columns), was one of the largest temples in the ancient world. The 17m-high (56-ft.) Pentelic marble columns that remain standing, as well as the one sprawled on the ground, give a good idea of how impressive this forest of columns must have been -- although it may be more appealing as a ruin than it ever was as a contender for the title "mother of all temples." Inside, side by side, were once statues of Zeus and of Hadrian.

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