Though named the Temple of Hera II, evidence suggests it was dedicated to both Hera and Zeus.
The temple was rediscovered in the 18th century during the construction of a road through the site.
It is an example of 'peripteral' architecture, meaning it is surrounded by a single row of columns.
The columns exhibit a subtle convex taper known as entasis, a technique used by Greeks to make straight lines appear perfectly aligned to the human eye.
The structure retains significant portions of its two-tiered interior colonnades, which supported the roof structure.
The temple was built during a period of prosperity for the city, shortly after the construction of the neighboring Temple of Hera I.
Its orientation aligns with the sunrise during specific times of the year, a common feature in Greek religious architecture.
Unlike many other Greek temples that were destroyed by earthquakes or repurposed as churches, this temple remained relatively isolated and preserved.
The Temple of Hera II is a perfectly preserved Doric temple located within the Archaeological Park of Paestum in southern Italy. Constructed around 460 BC, it is often erroneously called the Temple of Poseidon due to 18th-century misidentifications. The structure follows a hexastyle design with six columns across the facade and fourteen along its sides. Its peristyle remains largely intact, making it one of the most complete Greek temples surviving globally. The building features an inner cella that is accessed through a pronaos and opisthodomos. Architectural refinements include a slight entasis (curvature) in the columns to correct optical illusions. The temple served as a place of worship for the ancient Greek colony of Poseidonia. It is situated on the southern end of the archaeological site, adjacent to the Temple of Hera I. The masonry is constructed from locally sourced travertine, which changes color depending on the light.
From the south-east corner during the golden hour for the best light on the column fluting.
Walk the perimeter of the temple to compare the column thickness from different angles.
Carry a wide-brimmed hat or umbrella as there is almost no shade within the temple complex.
Visit the onsite museum located across the road to see the original metopes and artifacts recovered from the temple area.
Do not attempt to touch the weathered limestone surfaces, as the stone is fragile and protected.
Open daily throughout the year, though certain zones may restrict access during extreme weather or maintenance.
Maintain a respectful distance from the columns and do not climb on any original stone blocks.
