DISTANCE: 65 km
GOD: Poseidon
PLACES TO SEE:
Temple of Poseidon
Aegean Sea
Temple of Athena
BEST TIMES TO VISIT:
Quadrennial Festival
GOD: Poseidon
PLACES TO SEE:
Temple of Poseidon
Aegean Sea
Temple of Athena
BEST TIMES TO VISIT:
Quadrennial Festival
WHERE TO GO
Temple of Poseidon
Don't miss the opportunity to visit the brand new Temple of Poseidon. The original sanctuary, destroyed by the Persians in 480, was rebuilt a decade ago under the orders of Pericles. If you have a sharp eye, you will notice upon observing the 34 columns that they are cut differently. In fact, the columns have four less grooves to decrease the amount of marble exposed to the strong winds hitting the coast as well as the salty sea water.
On the east side of the temple, is an Ionic frieze which has been crafted out of fine Parian marble. On the frieze, follow the various adventures of Theseus and remember the battle of the Lapiths and centaurs. Additionally, observe the depiction of the battle between Athena and Poseidon over which god would dominate Attica.
For every sailor and warrior who has ever courageously journeyed through the waves of the Aegean Sea, this is the first spot of our homeland that they see upon their return.
On the east side of the temple, is an Ionic frieze which has been crafted out of fine Parian marble. On the frieze, follow the various adventures of Theseus and remember the battle of the Lapiths and centaurs. Additionally, observe the depiction of the battle between Athena and Poseidon over which god would dominate Attica.
For every sailor and warrior who has ever courageously journeyed through the waves of the Aegean Sea, this is the first spot of our homeland that they see upon their return.
Aegean Sea: The Man and the Myth
Aegeus, stood on top of the cliff looking out into the sea as he waited for his son Theseus who had just gone to Crete to slay the Minotaur. The king was particularly searching for a sign of white sails, to signal that his son had defeated the Minotaur and survived. Black sails, on the other hand, were supposed to indicate that his son had perished.
Many Athenians may also recall that this is the location where the past king of Athens, Aegeus, met When the boat approached the cape of Sounion, grief fell over the king once he saw black sails in the distance. Theseus killed the Minotaur and was alive, but had forgotten to raise the black sails into the air. Aegeus, extremely devastated by the fate of his son and concerned over the future of Athens, plunged his body into the sea. Thus, we refer to the large body of water off the coast of Sounion as the Aegean Sea today in remembrance for the loss to our city-state.
Many Athenians may also recall that this is the location where the past king of Athens, Aegeus, met When the boat approached the cape of Sounion, grief fell over the king once he saw black sails in the distance. Theseus killed the Minotaur and was alive, but had forgotten to raise the black sails into the air. Aegeus, extremely devastated by the fate of his son and concerned over the future of Athens, plunged his body into the sea. Thus, we refer to the large body of water off the coast of Sounion as the Aegean Sea today in remembrance for the loss to our city-state.
Temple of Athena
While the Temple of Poseidon is convincing enough to draw Athenian voyagers to the tip of Attica, do not forget to stop and visit the temple dedicated to the goddess of our city-state while you are in Sounion. Just like Poseidon's sanctuary, the Temple of Athena was built on top of the site of an older temple, destroyed in the Persian War. The temple was even reconstructed with some of the ruins.