Top Things to do in West Attica Region
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The 10 Best Things to do in West Attica Region, Attica
Discover the best top things to do in West Attica Region, Greece including Aphrodite's Temple, Castle Aigosthena, Imero Kyma, The Kallichoron Well, The Ploutonion, Monastery of Agia Paraskevi Mazi Megara, Archaeological Site and Museum of Eleusis, Kineta Beach, Archeologiko Mousio Elefsinas, Pigi Filis.
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1. Aphrodite's Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Castle Aigosthena
3. Imero Kyma
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
4. The Kallichoron Well
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
5. The Ploutonion
6. Monastery of Agia Paraskevi Mazi Megara
7. Archaeological Site and Museum of Eleusis
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By traveller1959 - Düsseldorf, Germany
Eleusis is one of the hidden gems of Mainland Greece. Most excursion buses do not go there, and therefore you meet few visitors at this magnificent archaeological site which is of highest historical and mythological significance. Eleusis was the most sacred place in Greece, and the Mysteries of Eleusis have heavily influenced Christianity, so any scholar of religion will be fascinated to step on holy ground there. Eleusis – in modern Greek: Elefsina – is in easy walking distance from Athens. Or, it was, given the stamina of the Ancients who, as Herodotus writes, considered a distance of 40km a day’s march. In fact, the distance from Athens is a little over 20km (on the way to Korinthos), but be prepared to find the archaeological site surrounded by oil refineries and other heavy industries (maybe a reason why the cruise ship excursions avoid this site). The centre of Ancient Eleusis is the cave (in fact, little more than an overhanging rock) where the God of the Underworld Plouton abducted Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, the Goddess of harvest who wept at a nearby spring which is still visible (in fact, two walled springs, an older and a newer one). There is are impressive remains of the entrance building (from Roman times), complete with the bust of emperor Marc Aurel, parts of an triumph arch and ornamented stones, displaying, among others, the ear of grain, Demeter’s symbol. You walk over the ancient procession trail, marked with ruts from heavy doors and wagons. You walk past Plouton’s cave, where the foundations of a temple, built in his honour, and remains of other temples are to be seen. Then, at the foot of a hill, you enter the main building: a giant hall where thousands of pilgrims sat one stone benches (still there) to watch the Mysteries of Eleusis, secret ceremonies in honour of Demeter. You had to participate in these Mysteries in order to enjoy an agreeable afterlife in Hades. Therefore, thousands of ancient Athenians marched from Athens to Eleusis to join the Mysteries. There are also giant grain silos behind the hall. If you walk past the hill, you will arrive at a small museum which displays a wonderful statue of Demeter and various other findings from the site, including figurines and pictures of Persephone. You will fully enjoy the visit of this site if you prepare yourself by reading some stuff on the Mysteries of Eleusis, the Wikipedia article will do the job. I must admit, Eleusis exceeded my expectations (also those of my travel companions), which were rather low, given somewhat sparse information about in the web. The archaeological site is quite large, with sufficient remaining structures to give you an impression how the complex looked and functioned some 2,400 years ago. It is easy to visit, with parking directly at the entrance and not too much walking involved.
8. Kineta Beach
9. Archeologiko Mousio Elefsinas
10. Pigi Filis
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