Excavations at the ancient city of Passaron in the Epirus region of Greece have led to the discovery of a rare sanctuary dedicated to Hestia, the goddess of the hearth. The temple's most striking feature is an intact circular ritual hearth (prytaneion) that shows evidence of continuous use for over three centuries. The hearth is surrounded by a series of Doric columns that suggest a high degree of architectural refinement for the Molossian kingdom.
Among the artifacts recovered are several bronze tripods and ceramic vessels used for libations, indicating the temple's central role in the political and religious life of the ancient Epirote tribes. This discovery provides the first physical evidence of a standalone temple dedicated specifically to Hestia in this part of Greece, as she was more commonly worshipped at shared civic hearths.