Greek Sacred Places

In ancient Greece there were a variety of sacred-type places, like altars or shrines or holy geographic locations. Many of the civic centers also had religious functions, but this list will mainly stick to the most important ones or ones most people would likely look for under the label of sacred. Also see Greek Theater Study Guide.

Mt. Lycaeon
Mt. Lycaeon was a mountain in Arcadia where sacred rites to Zeus Lycaeus were performed.

Altars
Just as they are used today, altars were used in ancient religious rites. One general difference is that in ancient Greece, the altar would likely have seen a live animal sacrifice, rather than a symbolic one.

Prytaneum
The Prytaneum (or sacred fire) was located in the heart of ancient Greek cities.

Dodona
The oak at Dodona, in Epirus, is supposed to have made the first prophetic utterance. This oracle is devoted to Zeus.

Epidaurus
Among other features, Epidaurus was the location of the important and major healing shrine of the god Asclepius, son of Zeus.

Eleusis
Eleusis was the site of the initiation rites into one of big mystery reigions of ancient Greece, the Eleusinian Mysteries

Temenos
Temenos is a type of space important for religious purposes.

Didyma - Sacred Precinct in Miletus
Didyma was a sacred precinct of Miletus rather than a city.

Artemis of Ephesus
Learn about Artemis at Ephesus and her exceptional representation in statues.

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