Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The ruins of the ancient port of
Ramnous
( 22940 63477; adult/child €2/free;
8.30am-3pm)
lie about 10km northeast of Marathon. The evocative and secluded site
stands on a picturesque plateau overlooking the sea. Among the ruins are the remains of
the Doric Temple of Nemesis (435 BC) and a fortress. There is no public transport to the
site.
The long, sandy, pine-fringed beach at
Shinias
is the best in this part of Attica.
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Vravrona
In Vravrona the
Sanctuary of Artemis
( 22990 27020; adult/child €3/free;
8am-2.45pm Tue-Sun)
, originally a Neolithic settlement, came to be revered by worship-
pers of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and protector of women in childbirth and new-
borns. The current temple ruins date from approximately 420 BC. The museum houses
exceptional finds from the sanctuary.
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Elefsina
The
Ancient Eleusis
( 210 554 6019; adult/child €3/free; 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun)
ruins
lie beside the industrial town of Elefsina, 22km west of Athens. In ancient times it
nestled on the slopes of a low hill close to the shore of the Saronic Gulf, built around the
Sanctuary of Demeter. The site dates to Mycenaean times, when the cult of Demeter
began. By classical times it was celebrated with a huge annual festival. In the 4th century
AD, Roman emperor Theodosius closed it.
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Peania
Perhaps Peania's biggest claim to fame was as the birthplace of Greek statesman Demos-
thenes (384-322 BC). Today the area is known primarily for remarkable
Koutouki Cave
( 210 664 2910;
www.culture.gr
; adult/child €5/free; 9am-3pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-2.30pm Sat
stantinou 4, Peania; adult/child €4.40/free;
10am-2pm Sat & Sun)
.
