GREECE PELOPONNESE KORINTHIA PERACHORA HERAION

Above: Plan of a part of the Heraion.
Left: Fundaments of a rectangular building, the sanctuary of Hera Limenia.

The sanctuary of Hera was founded at the beginning of the 8th century BC, probably by the Argives or the Megarians, but it soon came under the control of the Corinthians. In the 6th century BC, the shrine of Hera Akraia ("of the cape") was constructed on the site of a Geometric apsidal temple, and 200 m East of it, near the harbour, the shrine of Hera Limenia ("of the harbour") was built. (Meanwhile some scholars favour the idea that it was just one sanctuary, dedicated to Hera Akraia-Limenia.) The site was expanded in the 5th century BC, but after the destruction of Corinth by the Romans in 146 BC, the sanctuary fell into decline and was abandoned.

Above: Walls of the "bastion".

Above left: Remains of the "bastion" and stone steps. - Above right: A water channel. - Below: A water tank with apsidal short sides and a row of piers down the center on which the roof was supported. It is an interesting example of the way in which water was collected and stored in the 4th century BC.

Above and below left: Plan and view of the lower part of the sanctuary. - Above right and below: Remains of the L-shaped stoa (erected in the 5th century BC) and of yet another temple of Hera, the one of Hera Akraia, near the ancient harbour, now used as a bathing beach - although not very frequented, which is certainly in favour of the ancient ruins.