The remains of an ancient Doric temple, dating back to the 6th century BC, still tower today as an eloquent testament to the prosperous Greek colony of Metapontum. Dedicated to the goddess Hera, protector deity of women and marriage, the temple represented a religious and cultural focal point of great importance. Its original structure, characterized by a hexastyle colonnade and a central cella, housed an imposing statue of the goddess, a sculpture of immeasurable value.

According to the historian Eusebius of Caesarea, the Achaeans, inhabitants of the northern regions of the Peloponnese, founded the colony of Metapontum at the mouth of the Bradano River in 773 BC. They initially built the port and subsequently developed the polis. However, the marshy hinterland posed a problem, requiring massive land reclamation efforts to allow for the development of small family-run farms. These reclamations favored the emergence of large rural villas and sanctuaries, including the Temple of Hera, near the Greek colony of Taranto, a witness to the greatness and power of the time.

The 15 remaining columns of the temple, in addition to their architectural value, hold historical and cultural significance, also linked to the presence of Pythagoras, who taught here for about 20 years. The temple, known as the “Palatine Tables,” may have taken this name because, according to some interpretations, mythological figures such as the Paladins would have feasted on the temple’s columns as if they were a table, while other theories suggest that the term “palatine” derives from the first fruits offered by the rich and lush land.

In conclusion, regardless of the origin of the terms, the Temple of Hera offers an experience that delights the mind, soul, and palate.