What is hephasteion?

The Hephasteion, also known as the Temple of Hephaestus, is an ancient Greek temple located in Athens, Greece. It was built between 449 and 415 BCE and was dedicated to the god Hephaestus, who was the god of metalworking and craftsmanship.

The temple is made of marble and has 34 Doric columns surrounding it, with 6 on each end and 13 on each of the longer sides. It was built on a small hill called Agoraios Kolonos, just west of the ancient agora of Athens. The temple's architecture is said to be one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples, as it has been well-preserved since its construction.

Due to its excellent preservation, the Hephasteion is a popular tourist site in Athens, and it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The temple has also been used as a museum, with some of the artifacts found on the site being exhibited to the public.