Herakleion

sanctuary · 330 BC – 2100 AD

An ancient sanctuary of Hercules (Melqart) that Strabo places at one end of the long island (Cotinussa) that extended south from ancient Gades. Significant landscape and coastal change have occurred since antiquity, disrupting the integrity of these islands. Nonetheless, modern scholars have consistently identified the location of the sanctuary as at or near the 17th-18th century Castillio de Sancti Petri, which today occupies a separate homonymous islet. Archaeological finds possibly associated with the sanctuary have been made in the vicinity (both terrestrial and underwater) over the years, but precise location of foundations or other identifiable architecture have remained elusive.

Coordinates
36.38013, -6.22003
Also known as
Temple of Hercules Gaditanus (en), Temple of Hercules Gaditanus, Hercules Gaditanus (Temple of) (en), Temple of Hercules-Melqart (en), Temple of Hercules-Melqart, Hercules-Melqart (Temple of) (en), Ἡράκλειον (grc)
Dating
attested

Sources

See Herakleion on the map →