TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS

The Knossos architect Harsif proposed to build a marble temple in honor of Artemis. The construction of the temple lasted more than a century - 120 years. The temple was 110 meters long and 55 meters wide. The temple was the largest building among the Greek temples built up to that time. It was surrounded by two rows of 18-meter stone columns. The inside of the temple was covered with marble tiles. In the main hall was a 15-meter statue of Artemis, covered from head to toe in gold and jewels. According to information, the temple was burned by Herostratus in 356 BC.

 

At the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC, the temple was completely restored and returned to its original appearance. The Temple of Artemis was sacked by the Goths in 263 and then destroyed. The famous reliefs of the columns of Artemision are now in the British Museum in London. Currently, one of the broken pillars has been restored and stands on the site of the temple.