Tavole Palatine, also known as the Palatine Tables, is an ancient archaeological site located in the city of Crotone in southern Italy. It is an impressive complex of ruins believed to have been a sanctuary dedicated to Hera Lacinia, the patron goddess of Croton. The site is located on a hill overlooking the Gulf of Taranto, and it dates back to the 6th century BCE.
The most prominent feature of Tavole Palatine is a large rectangular platform measuring about 40 meters by 22 meters, which is surrounded by a series of walls and steps. This platform was believed to have been the foundation of the temple that once stood here, dedicated to Hera. The site also includes several smaller structures, including a circular altar, a small temple, and a series of stone altars.
The name Tavole Palatine, which means “Palatine Tables,” comes from the discovery of a series of inscriptions on the walls of the platform. These inscriptions, written in Greek, detail the laws and regulations governing the sanctuary and its rituals.
The site was discovered in the early 18th century and has been the subject of extensive archaeological excavation and study.
