Heraion at Foce del Sele

The Heraion at Foce del Sele is an archaeological site located in the Campania region of Italy, near the mouth of the Sele River. It was a sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek goddess Hera, who was worshipped there under the name Hera Argiva. The site was originally settled in the 8th century BCE, and the sanctuary was built during the 6th and 5th centuries BCE.

The sanctuary was a complex of buildings and structures, including a temple, altars, and other religious buildings. The temple was built on a raised platform and was surrounded by a sacred enclosure. The temple itself was constructed in the Doric style and was oriented towards the east, facing the sea. The temple's cella was divided into three aisles and was decorated with terracotta sculptures depicting scenes from Greek mythology.

The sanctuary was a major religious center and pilgrimage site, attracting worshippers from all over the Mediterranean world. It was also a center of trade and commerce, with merchants and craftsmen setting up shops and stalls to cater to the needs of the pilgrims.

The Heraion was destroyed by the Lucanians in the 4th century BCE, and was subsequently abandoned. The site was rediscovered in the 18th century, and has been the subject of extensive archaeological excavations since then. Many of the artifacts uncovered at the site are now housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum.