The Temple of godess Aphrodite is a rare monument, buried under the modern city.
Modern and Contemporary era (1912 - )
1936 Uncovered during construction works of an apartment building. The parts of the temple were scattered.
2000 A new excavation, after demolition of the apartment building, confirmed the transfer of the parts from the Temple of Aphrodite.
Ottoman era (1453- 1912)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
The parts of the Temple of Aphrodite were transferred from the current Nea Michaniona to this location.
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
The architectural parts of the Temple of Aphrodite are from the 6th or the early 5th century BC.
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
From here, one could -until recently- distinguish a Roman temple’s podium. The temple however, comes from architectural parts of the archaic temple of Aphrodite (6th or 5th century BC), which was of Ionic order, peripteral, with six columns, a vestibule and a podium (stairs) of six steps. The monument is being stifled by the modern urban environment however, which has prompted many sensitive citizens and scientists to launch emergency action for its protection. The situation remains unchanged due to legal and bureaucratic obstacles, but for the monument’s protection, a provisional decision has been made to plough it.
What I can't see
Referred to as the “Parthenon of Thessaloniki”, this monument has attracted global interest, including from UNESCO and the Archaeological School of Berlin. It is historic and particularly important. During the Roman era (probably during Augustus’ reign), the archaic temple of Aphrodite was moved from Aenea (modern New Michaniona) and Caesar was most likely worshiped here. It is also likely that the temple was constructed with architectural parts from two older temples and not just one. Based on archaeological evidence (i.e. a wall from an earlier building), this was a place of worship before the temple’s parts were transferred. Roman statues of some significance as well as several pre-Roman Era findings were also uncovered here. Parts of the temple are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
Info
- Address: Antigonidon Sq & Karaoli and Dimitriou ton Kyprion St.
Bibliography
Petridou Ι., (2014), Ο μικρός “Παρθενώνας” της Θεσσαλονίκης, [The little “Parthenon” of Thessaloniki], Parallaxi
http://www.parallaximag.gr/observatory/o-mikros-parthenonas-tis-thessalonikis
Last visit 9/11/2014
Stephanidou- Tiveriou Th., (2009), Τα λατρευτικά αγάλματα του ναού του Διός και της Ρώμης στη Θεσσαλονίκη, [The worship statues of the temple of Zeus and Rome in Thessaloniki], in Κλασική Παράδοση και Νεωτερικά Χρόνια στην Πλαστική της Ρωμαϊκής Ελλάδας, [Classical tradition and modern years in plastic arts of Roman Greece], Conference records, University Press p.p. 273-286