Temple of Enodia

The ruins of the so–called Temple of Zeus Thaulios and Ennodia, from the later classical period (4th century BC), are one of the few examples of ancient temples in Thessaly. It is located near the northern limits of the urban centre of Velestino in the direction of the settlement of Chloi. According to recent studies, it belonged to the sanctuary of Ennodia, a local Pherean goddess, which was located outside the walled city and can be placed among the great early sanctuaries of mainland Greece.

The temple is a peripteros in Doric style with six columns on the narrow sides and twelve on the long ones. Today, only a part of the krepis on its facade, in the southeast, survives. A large part of the krepis was destroyed during the years of Turkish rule and later, as it was a source of building material.

The temple that is visible replaced an earlier one from the Archaic period, which seems to have been destroyed by fire. Indeed, under the surviving krepis of the temple, pieces of limestone and column capitals belonging to the older temple, which was in Doric style, were found placed as a foundation.

Orientation:

The temple is oriented towards the southeast, at azimuth 118,2°±1° (skyline altitude of 3°).