Most of the central open space of the Asclepieion is occupied by the imposing Doric pavilion temple and its altar. The temple was a Doric pavilion (6 x 12 columns) with a pronaos and a back porch, each with two columns between pilasters. The external dimensions of the monument were 13.67 x 27.24 metres, while its overall height was approximately 9 metres.
The sanctuary was separated from the rest of the temple by a vault and at the bottom of it was a sculptural cult composition, the golden stone statue of the Goddess Messene. This probably confirms the view that Asclepius of Messina did not have a primary therapeutic quality, but the political one of the “Messinian citizen”.
