---
title: "Temple of Neptune - Paestumsites"
description: "Discover the Temple of Neptune at Paestum, the monumental 5th-century BC Greek temple and one of the best-preserved examples of Doric architecture."
url: "https://www.paestumsites.it/en/paestum/temple-of-neptune"
date: "2026-08-13T18:47:40+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Temple of Neptune at Paestum: A Masterpiece of Doric Architecture

![](https://www.paestumsites.it/images/stories/nettuno/paestum_nettuno20.JPG)

The **Temple of Neptune** is the largest and most imposing of the three great Greek temples at Paestum and one of the best-preserved Doric temples from the ancient Greek world.

Built around the middle of the **5th century BC**, during the Classical period, it stands in the southern sanctuary of ancient Poseidonia, immediately north of the older Temple of Hera, traditionally known as the Basilica.

Its exceptional state of preservation and monumental proportions make it one of the most recognisable symbols of Paestum.

## Why is it called the Temple of Neptune?

The name **Temple of Neptune** is traditional but does not reflect a certain archaeological identification.

When Paestum was rediscovered and studied by European scholars during the 18th century, the great temple was associated with **Poseidon**, the Greek god of the sea who gave the city its original name, Poseidonia. The Roman equivalent of Poseidon was Neptune, hence the name by which the monument became widely known.

Archaeological evidence, however, has never conclusively established which deity was worshipped inside the temple.

Several hypotheses have been proposed, including **Hera, Zeus and Apollo**. For this reason, archaeologists often refer to the monument as the **so-called Temple of Neptune**.

Despite this uncertainty, the traditional name remains universally used to identify the building.

## Architecture of the Temple of Neptune

The temple was built in the **Doric order** and is surrounded by a monumental external colonnade.

There are **six columns on each short side and fourteen on each long side**, all resting on a three-stepped base.

The proportions are remarkably harmonious. Compared with the older Temple of Hera nearby, the columns are more slender and the relationship between the different architectural elements is more regular, reflecting the development of Doric architecture during the Classical period.

Much of the original entablature and both triangular pediments are still preserved above the colonnade, contributing to the extraordinary completeness of the monument.

## Inside the temple

The internal arrangement of the Temple of Neptune is particularly well preserved.

The central **cella**, or naos, was the sacred chamber of the temple and would originally have contained the cult image of the deity.

Inside, two rows of columns divided the cella into **three aisles**. These internal columns were arranged on two superimposed levels, creating a monumental architectural effect and helping to support the roof structure.

At the front of the cella was the **pronaos**, while at the rear stood the **opisthodomos**.

This complex internal structure provides an unusually complete example of the way a major Classical Greek temple was organised.

## A masterpiece of Classical Doric architecture

The Temple of Neptune represents a more mature phase of Doric architecture than the earlier Temple of Hera.

Its architects carefully adjusted the dimensions and proportions of the individual elements to achieve a sense of balance and visual harmony.

The columns taper towards the top and display a slight swelling of the shaft known as **entasis**, an optical refinement commonly used in Greek architecture.

The design demonstrates the high level of architectural knowledge reached at Poseidonia during the 5th century BC.

## The southern sanctuary

The Temple of Neptune formed part of the great **southern sanctuary of Poseidonia**.

The area had already been an important centre of worship for generations when the temple was constructed. Nearby stood the older Temple of Hera, while altars and other sacred structures occupied the open spaces in front of the temples.

Religious ceremonies and sacrifices generally took place outside the temple, particularly around the altar positioned in front of its eastern façade.

The temple itself housed the cult image and the sacred objects associated with the deity.

## Why is the Temple of Neptune so well preserved?

The Temple of Neptune is remarkable for the survival of almost its entire external structure.

The complete sequence of columns, much of the entablature and the triangular pediments are still standing, while substantial parts of the internal colonnades also survive.

The building was constructed from large stone blocks fitted together with great precision. Its robust construction, combined with the gradual abandonment of the ancient city, helped preserve the monument through the centuries.

Although the roof and many decorative elements have disappeared, the surviving structure still allows visitors to appreciate the proportions and monumental character of the original Greek temple.

## The Temple of Neptune today

Today the Temple of Neptune is one of the highlights of any visit to the archaeological area of Paestum.

Standing beside the earlier Temple of Hera, it also offers an exceptional opportunity to compare two different stages in the development of **Greek Doric architecture** within the same sanctuary.

Together with the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Athena, it forms one of the best-preserved groups of Greek temples in the Mediterranean world and remains the most monumental symbol of ancient Poseidonia.

   Details   Written by: Paestumsites   Parent Category: [Paestum](https://www.paestumsites.it/en/paestum/temple-of-neptune?view=category&id=21)   Category: [Paestum: Archaeological Area, Temples and Museum](https://www.paestumsites.it/en/paestum/temple-of-neptune?view=category&id=22)   Also available: [![Italiano](https://www.paestumsites.it/media/mod_languages/images/it.gif "Italiano")](https://www.paestumsites.it/it/paestum/il-tempio-di-nettuno-o-poseidone)    Last Updated: 12 August 2026

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