PERIOD

Classical

Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos

The ancient city of Samos (today’s Pythagoreion) extended along the southeastern coast of Samos. It was a dominant naval and commercial power of the Greek world in the 6th century BC. The surviving monuments testify to the existence of a rich city with a strong cultural presence and enviable organization. It was the place of wondrous engineering achievements, such as the first artificial harbor with a built waterfront, the important sanctuary of the goddess Hera (Heraion) with its magnificent temple and its worldwide impact, as well as the aqueduct designed by Eupalinos from Megara, with an underground tunnel that crossed Mount Kastri and supplied the city with drinking water.

Date of entry into UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites
1992

Visit website of MSC Supporting material

The modern city of Pythagoreion is built above the ancient city of Samos. The Tower of Lykourgos Logothetis was built in the 19th c.

Aerial view of the Sacred Way, that led from the ancient city of Samos to the Sanctuary of Hera.

The Sacred Way from the ancient city of Samos to the Sanctuary of Hera.

Archaeological site at the ancient city of Samos (modern Pythagoreion).

Roman Thermae at Pythagoreion.

Statue of Iphigeneia made of white and of black marble. Roman period. Museum of Pythagoreion.

Samos: mosaic floor depicting dolphins, in a roman building at the Sanctuary of Hera.

Syntagma (group of statues) of a family by Geneleos. Museum of Vathy at Samos.

Bronze cauldron and decorative griffins, votives to the Sanctuary of Hera. Museum of Vathy at Samos.

Panoramic view to the Sanctuary of Hera at Samos.

Gallery with statues and modern model of the Open-air Sanctuary of goddess Cybele. Museum of Pythagoreion.

Samos: Eupalinian aqueduct. The underground tunnel of the aqueduct.

Samos: Eypalinian aqueduct. The tunnel was repaired during the Roman period.

Collosal kouros statue dedicated to Hera by Ischys. Museum of Vathy, Samos.

Sanctuary of Hera on the island of Samos: Temple of Hera

Sanctuary of Hera on the island of Samos: Temple of Hera

Syntagma (group of statues of a family) by Geneleos

Sanctuary of Hera on the island of Samos: the Great Altar

Of the same period