Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eleusis
Tues-Sun 8.30am-3pm • €3
he
Sanctuary of Demeter
at
Eleusis
was one of the most important in the ancient
Greek world. For two millennia, the ritual ceremonies known as the Mysteries (see box)
were performed here. Today, the extensive
ruins
of the sanctuary occupy a low hill on
the coast right in the heart of modern Elefsína.
The best plan on arrival is to head straight for the
museum
, which features models of
the sanctuary at various stages in its history: Eleusis is impressively large, with huge
walls and gates, some of which date back to Mycenaean times, but the numerous eras
of building can also be confusing, especially as signage is poor and mainly in Greek.
Exploring outside, the most important structure of ancient Eleusis was the
Telesterion
. This windowless Hall of Initiation lay at the heart of the cult, and it was
here that the priests of Demeter would exhibit the
Sacred Objects
and speak “the
Unutterable Words”.
GETTING AROUND
1
WEST TO PELOPONNESE
By car
The main road out of Athens towards Eleusis is the
busy Leofóros Athinón, though it's also possible to follow
the Ierá Odhós (Sacred Way) from the centre of town, which
may have less traffic and certainly seems more appropriate.
By bus
Bus #A16 or #B16 from Platía Eleftherías (aka Platía
Koumoundhoúrou) runs along the Sacred Way several
times an hour, stopping at Dhafní en route to Elefsína (the
#G16 goes to Dhafní but not Elefsína). In Elefsína ask the
driver to set you down at the closest stop to the ruins - the
terminal is slightly further away, but still only about a
10min walk back along the waterfront.
