GREECE PELOPONNESE MESSINIA BASSAE

The "Temple of Epicurean Apollo" at Bassae (meaning "little vale in the rocks") near Andritsaina lies at an altitude of 1,131 m in a remote region of the Peloponnesian mountains near the borders of Messinia, Eleia, and Arcadia.

What looks like a work of art by Christo is a protective tent financed from UNESCO funds. It was erected together with massive steel supports to shelter the temple during its restoration, but it may well be a permanent solution. Once described as one of the best-preserved Greek temples, beautifully set in the montaineous landscape, it must now be prevented from collapsing due to seismic vibrations. However, the modern superstucture has its own aesthetic charm.

The "Temple of Epicurean Apollo" was built about 420 BC, but perhaps only finished in the 4th century, on behalf of the inhabitants of Figalia. It was to express their gratitude to Apollo Epicuros for saving them from the plague, spreading on the Peloponnese since 429 BC and reaching the area of Figalia in 410 BC.

Apollo, the god of prophecy, of healing and of the sun has the kithara and the bow as his attributes. The strings of both resound when he touches them, but what a contrast. The god who sends diseases and disaster can also heal. Therefore Heraklit saw the kithara and the bow as symbols of the uniting of contrasts.