Altar of Hera

View of assembled architectural fragments associated with the altar of Hera that was located just east of her temple.

The temple is located about 5 mi. [8 km.] west of ancient Samos.  The largest of the consecutive temples was built by Polykrates around 570–560 B.C. and measured 354 x 165 ft. [108 x 50 m.].  Herodotus (d. ca. 420 B.C.) said that it was the largest temple of his day.

Hera was the wife of Zeus and according to legend was born here on Samos—thus the temple to worship her.