Heraion of Perachora: Worshipping the goddess Hera by the sea

The Archaic Temple of Hera Akraia, which was built over an earlier apsidal temple from the Geometric period (late 9th – early 8th century BC), is located next to the port. Its elongated rectangular Altar originally featured metopes and triglyphs on all four sides, while the remains of at least seven steps – part of a larger staircase – are northerly located. East of the Altar, there is an L-shaped, 4th century BC two-storey stoa, while southwest of the temple lies the Western Courtyard, an irregular pentagon initially identified as the agora.

The nearby 19th-century pier served the needs of the lighthouse.

To the east, lies the double apsidal Cistern surrounded by the Hestiatorion (dining hall), a stone conduit and a smaller Cistern. The diminutive church of Saint John marks the divide between the two levels of the sanctuary, originally located on top of the Geometric temple and later moved to accommodate the excavations.

At the easternmost end, on the third level of the sanctuary, stands the Hestia building (7th century – early 6th century BC), while a series of retaining walls from the 5th – 4th centuries BC, the remains of another staircase and a large artificial cavity (the Sacred Cistern) can be found further down.