The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia at Delphi | Highlights & Visitor Information

The Tholos is a circular structure within the Athena Pronaia complex. It was built in the 4th century BCE by Greek architect Theodorus Phoceus, although its purpose is not known. It featured a ring of tall columns supporting a domed roof. In the 1st century BCE, the Tholos was damaged in a fire. Today, you can see 3 of its columns, which have been reconstructed, along with the base of the temple and its foundations.

Three temples dedicated to the goddess Athena were built at the sanctuary. The first was constructed in the 7th century BCE but was destroyed in the early 6th century BCE. The second temple, built in 510 BCE, was damaged in an earthquake. When it was excavated in the early 20th century, its ruins, including its colonnade, had survived in good condition. But a rockfall in 1905 damaged the 15 surviving columns. The third temple, built in 360 BCE, fell to ruins after the Romans closed down all pagan Greek sanctuaries in the 4th century AD. Today, only its foundations remain at the site.

The sanctuary has 2 treasuries: the Doric Treasury and the Treasury of the Massalians (or Massaliots). The Doric Treasury dates back to 490-460 BCE, but its builders are unknown. The Treasury of the Massalians was constructed around 530 BCE by the city of Marseille (in present-day France) to signify their increasing economic power.

The temple precinct of Athena Pronaia included some altars, mainly meant for sacrifices to the gods. They are located on the southern side of the sanctuary. Inscriptions dating back to the 5th century reveal they were dedicated to Athena, Zeus, Hygieia (the Greek goddess of health, hygiene, and healing), and Eileithyia (the goddess of childbirth).