Bassae

A temple dedicated to Apollo Epicurius on the slopes of Mt Lykaion, SW Arcadia, Greece; a world heritage site. It was built in the 5th-c BC by Ictinos for the people of Phigalia after their city escaped a plague epidemic. Rediscovered in 1763, it has since been largely re-erected.

Bassae (Latin) or Bassai, Vassai or Vasses (Greek, Modern: Βασσές, Ancient: Βασσαί) is an archaeological site at the southeastern end of the Ilia Prefecture that was a part of Arcadia in ancient times, south of Andritsaina, west of Megalopolis and east of Figaleia. It is famous for the well-preserved mid-5th century BC temple of Apollo Epikourios (helper).

The magnificent temple of Apollo Epikourios sits at 1,150 m above sea level. The temple featured Corinthian and Ionian columns, combined with Doric columns. The columns were lined in 15 by 6 rows totalling 38 rows and the temple faced almost directly north. The middle of the temple featured a pro-naos at the top and the opisthodomos at the bottom. Today the temple's Metopes are in the British Museum, next to Elgin Marbles. The temple of Apollo is presently covered in white tent with five rows in order to protect the ruins from rain and snow. A reconstruction of the temple many be seen inside the tent.