Temple C (Selinus)

Temple C is one of the oldest and largest temples at the ancient Greek city of Selinus, located on the southern coast of Sicily, Italy. Dedicated to the god Apollo, it dates back to the Archaic period, likely around the 6th century BC.

The temple's dimensions are substantial, measuring approximately 63.7 meters in length and 24 meters in width. It was built according to the Doric order, characterized by its simple, unadorned columns and a frieze composed of alternating triglyphs and metopes. The original structure likely included a peripteral colonnade with six columns along the shorter ends (hexastyle) and seventeen columns along the longer sides.

Excavations at the site have revealed architectural fragments and sculptural reliefs that provide insights into the temple's decoration and history. Some of the metopes, depicting scenes from Greek mythology, are particularly noteworthy. These metopes, now housed in the Regional Archaeological Museum of Palermo, offer valuable evidence about the artistic styles and religious beliefs prevalent in Selinus during the Archaic period.

Like other temples at Selinus, Temple C was likely destroyed during the Carthaginian sack of the city in 409 BC. While never fully rebuilt, efforts have been made to reconstruct sections of the temple, giving visitors a better understanding of its original appearance. The remnants of Temple C remain a significant archaeological site, providing valuable information about ancient Greek architecture, religion, and art in Sicily.