#apollo epicurius

[conformi]

Iktinos, Temple of Apollo Epicurius, Bassae, Greece, 450-400 BC (illustration of the cella) VS Barozzi Veiga, A sentimental monumentaly, 15th Venice Architecture Biennale, 2016 © Jesús Arenas

[greek-museums]

The temple of Apollo Epicurius, Bassae

Built in a quiet and isolated place within the high and barren mountains of western Arcadia, in Bassae, in an altitude of 1.131 meters, the temple of Apollo Epicurius holds a special place in the history of Greek architecture. The so-called “Parthenon of Peloponnese”, made by Iktinos (420-400 B.C) according to a tradition recorded by Plutarch, is one of the best surviving examples of Classical architecture, combining conservative and innovative features.

The monument combines all three architectural orders of the antiquity and it still preserves some Archaic elements. The temple itself is Doric, while sporting an Ionian frieze. A Corinthian capital, now lost, was also discovered in the first illegal excavations. The missing Corinthian capital is so far the oldest known such find. The splendid Ionian frieze depicting the battle between the Greeks and the Amazons, and the battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs is now at the British Museum.

The frieze was discovered in excavations by foreign antiquaries in 1812. After the looting, the frieze and other sculptures were transferred to England (1814). They were subsequently bought at an auction at the behest of the British Prince Regent and in 1815 they were transferred in the British Museum, where they are still exhibited today.

In the beginnings of the 20th century the first restoration attempts began. Restoration was also resumed in the 70’s after a devastating earthquake. From the 80s to the 90s an anti-seismic scaffold was placed along with lightning protection, and the temple was proclaimed a World Cultural Heritage monument by UNESCO- long before any other greek monuments.

Restoration has not been concluded yet, but a new plan for the better protection of the monument from landslides and other natural disasters is being carried out. Restoration work is in particularly difficult in this monument due to the great scattering of its architectural elements. It is essential that all the slabs be identified and placed correctly at their original position.This is a policy that is carried out in every greek restoration and very often restorations utilize methods similar to those that would have been used in the building of these monuments. The use of these methods aim for the greater authenticity in the textural quality of the monument.

*One of the terms used in the reclaiming of Elgin’s marbles from the British Museum, by the Ministry of Culture is that the greek side will give up on any other possible claims from the same museum- such as the Ionian frieze of this temple. However, greek archaeologists have their own agenda and the frieze of Bassae will be definitely officially reclaimed one day.

[less-ismore]

The temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae.