The name 'Kolona' means 'column' in Greek, referring to the single remaining shaft of the temple.
The site contains stratigraphic layers spanning from the Neolithic period through the Mycenaean and Classical eras.
The temple was originally constructed around 520-500 BCE, slightly predating the more famous Temple of Aphaia on the same island.
The archaeological site was one of the first systematically excavated areas in Greece, with investigations dating back to the early 20th century.
Subsurface evidence shows the site hosted a 'Megaron' structure during the Bronze Age, suggesting continuous sacred usage for millennia.
The Temple of Apollo, locally known as Kolona, is the sole remaining pillar of a 6th-century BCE Doric temple located on the island of Aegina. The site serves as the entrance to the ancient acropolis of the city of Aegina, situated on the Hill of Kolona. Excavations have revealed remains of multiple prehistoric settlements dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE beneath the temple foundations. The primary visible structure is a single standing column that once belonged to the temple's opisthodomos. The archaeological site includes an adjacent museum containing findings from the prehistoric periods of the island. Historically, this sanctuary was the spiritual and political center of the island during its peak as a maritime power. The area provides a clear view of the Saronic Gulf and the coastal town of Aegina.
Capture the solitary standing column framed against the blue backdrop of the Saronic Gulf.
Visit the small on-site museum first to understand the layers of civilization uncovered at the site.
The site is outdoors with minimal shade; bring sun protection during midday hours.
Wear comfortable, grippy footwear as the ground is uneven and rocky.
Do not mistake this for the Temple of Aphaia, which is located in a different part of the island near Agia Marina.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Do not climb on the ruins or touch the archaeological remains; respect the site as a protected monument.
