Temple of poseidon sounio all you need to know before. Still a nice read to understand the history and significance of the site. Acropolis walking tour plus cape sounion and temple of. Perched on the craggy rocks of cape sounio, the temple is enveloped in myth and historic facts dated from antiquity until the present times. The original, archaicperiod temple of poseidon on the site was built of tufa. Find out where to take the bus, how long it takes to reach there and tips for your visit to cape sounion. The temple he mistakenly identified was the temple of poseidon. Poseidons sanctuary is mentioned by the tragedians euripides and sophocles and the comic poet aristophanes. David moffitt is at cape sounion temple of poseidon.
Book your tickets online for temple of poseidon, sounio. Very knowledgeable about the history, archeology, greek mythology and of course percy jackson. You can get to cape sounio from athens either by ktel public bus, by an organized tour, a private taxi or by car. Sounion in the ancient writers homer was the first to refer to sounion odyssey c 278 as the sacred cape of the athenians. The site of sounion was later visited by the 19th century english poet, lord byron, who carved his name into one of the columns of the temple of poseidon. Visit the temple of poseidon at cape sounion why athens. Majestic cape sounion, a strategic point rising above the aegean sea about 70 kilometers away from athens in the southern region of attica, was known by ancient greeks as the sacred cape.
The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and homer was the first to describe the site as sacred in his famous poem, the odyssey. Gain direct access to the ruins and have a once in a lifetime experience. Besides the temple of poseidon there are a couple of other greek marvels along the way so do make it a point to see them as well. It is part of lavreotiki municipality, east attica, greece. The poseidon temple is dedicated to the god of sea. The site of the mighty temple at sounion honors him perfectly as the crag the temple is situated on plunges over 200 feet to the sea. Private sunset tour of cape sounion, temple of poseidon. Experience one of the most breathtaking wonders of the ancient world in the most unique waycape sounio and poseidon s temple.
Sounion or sunium was an important ancient greek religious sanctuary sacred to the gods. Read a brief history about one of the most magnificent ancient landmarks in the attica region near athens, greece. It was part of the ambitious building project initiated by pericles, which included other renown temples. Temple of poseidon march 26 we need the tonic of wildness. Travel back in time and get to know about ancient greece and its history. After they defeated xerxes in the naval battle of salamis, the athenians placed an entire captured enemy trireme warship with three banks of oars at sounion as a trophy dedicated to poseidon. Marvel over one of greeces most photographed monuments on this halfday tour to the temple of poseidon from athens. It was part of the ambitious building project initiated by. Mar 10, 2020 spend half a day out of athens by heading to the rugged and stunning cape sounion where youll wander around the 444 bc temple of poseidon, the greek god of the sea. According to the myth, this is the site where aegeus, king of athens, fell into the sea because of a misunderstanding. The temple of poseidon in the cape of sounion and the city of marathon are two remote gems, one hour each away from athens ready to be explored. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books. Explore the gem of the place of the temple of poseidon by grabbing the temple of poseidon tickets on reach.
Enjoy your evening dinner at the athens riviera by the saronic sea. Sunset at cape sounion chasing the sunset at temple of poseidon by cape sounion. Greek mythology and the temple of poseidon at sounion. On top of this 60 meter cliff stands one of the most important sanctuaries in the region. In our opinion, one of the most majestic temples in the whole of greece is the temple of poseidon at sounion, about 70 kms away from central athens. Interestingly, the book is a story of the struggle of a man to return to his. Cape sounion temple of poseidon, sounion, attiki, greece.
It was erected in the middle of the 5th century bc and built to. Aegeon beach is built to blend with the natural environment with sober lines and earth colours. The first temple of poseidon was made out of porous stone, like most temples during the archaic period. The site of the mighty temple at sounion honors him perfectly as the crag the temple is. The late archaic temple of poseidon at sounion, known since wilhelm dorpfelds notes published in 1884 and examined by william b. Sporadic finds point to the conclusion that the site was inhabited in the prehistoric period but there is no evidence of religious practice in such an early date. Cape sounion temple of poseidon near athens, greece. Temple of poseidon sounio 2020 what to know before you go.
That is why i was kind of embarrassed when i realized i had not been there since i was dragged there by my high school ancient history teacher, the now famous nikos stavrolakis founder of the jewish museum of athens. How to get from athens to the temple of poseidon in sounion. In all honesty, no greek god could have asked for a better spot to have a temple built in his honour. Perched on the craggy rocks of cape sounio, the temple is enveloped in myth and historic facts dated from antiquity until the. Much thanks borgo bibilotherapie for bringing this fantastic art to the attention of the temple. It was erected in the middle of the 5th century bc and built to honour poseidon, god of the sea. My 8 year old son and i thoroughly enjoyed our percy jackson tour of the acropolis and afternoon tour to sounion to see the temple of poseidon. The temple of poseidon sounio is famous for its sunset and for its characteristic ancient greek temple that rises on the rock. The temple of poseidon archaeological evidence indicates that sounion was a sacred area as far back as the bronze age, but the temple visible in our day was built in the middle of the 5th century bce between 444 and 440 bce. Visit the temple of poseidon at cape sounion from athens, without any worries about car hire or public transportation, with this halfday tour. Sounion was another strategic site close to the god, and his 5thcentury bce temple still stands on the promontory which overlooks ships entering the saronic gulf.
Temple of poseidon facts the ancient temple of poseidon was built in 440 b. So make sure to book tickets for the temple of poseidon and get inside the depth of history. Sep, 2019 temple of poseidon sounio greece historic temple worth a visit at the tip of the region known as attica. Cape sounion and temple of poseidon halfday trip from athens. Theres a nice foldout with a 3d reconstruction, too. Citysightseeing is one company offering hop onoff tours. Witness the crowning jewelcape sounion dominated by the spectacular temple of poseidon. The temple is dedicated to the greek god poseidon, the brother of zeus, and the god of the sea. Cape sounion is found about 70 km to the southeast of athens, on the southernmost tip of attica peninsula. The temple of poseidon, the ancient greek god of the sea, dominates the southernmost tip of attica, where the horizon meets the aegean sea. Cape sounion temple of poseidon sounion, attiki, greece. The sounion kouros, discovered in 1906 in a pit east of the temple alongside fragments of other statues, was probably one of a number of votive statues dedicated to poseidon which probably stood in front of the gods sanctuary.
Dec, 2019 make your way through the streets of athens on a guided tour to syntagma square, plaka district, and the acropolis before heading out of the city on a scenic trip to the coastal temple of poseidon. Not far from the city, this temple makes for a wonderful and refreshing day trip. Make your way through the streets of athens on a guided tour to syntagma square, plaka district, and the acropolis before heading out of the city on a. Our fullday percy jackson athens mythology tour combines visiting the acropolis and acropolis museum in the morning, with an afternoon trip out to cape sounion to see the temple of poseidon at sunset. Aegeon beach hotel is situated in one of the most beautiful spots in europe, at cape sounio, right on the seashore below the temple of poseidon, one of the most famous archaeological sites in all of greece. Temple of poseidon in sounion university of warwick. A brief history of the temple of poseidon, sounion temple of poseidon, cape sounion, greece carole raddato wikicommons majestic cape sounion, a strategic point rising above the aegean sea about 70 kilometers away from athens in the southern region of attica, was known by ancient greeks as the sacred cape.
Corinth was also one of the earliest cities to connect poseidon to maritime trade and navigation as indicated by votive clay plaques dating to the archaic period. Cape sounion and temple of poseidon halfday trip from. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres 200 ft. The bus ride is smooth and comfortable and takes less than.
At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. Spectacularly located on a promontory in southern attica, the site is dominated by the temple of poseidon perched on the cliff edge, seventy metres above the sea sounion is the setting for several episodes in greek mythology and is specifically mentioned as a place of religious. This lesson examines the story behind the sea gods temple including the location and history. According to tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience temple of poseidon. Built as a temple to poseidonunderstandably, considering the proximity of the seathe building and its surroundings have played a key role in greek mythology and history. The temple of poseidon as others have indicated is a good distance outside athens and not on a hop onoff loop. The temple of poseidon at sounion was constructed in 444440 bc. Temple of poseidon sounio greece historic temple worth a visit at the tip of the region known as attica. Temple of poseidon in sounion the temple of poseidon archaeological evidence indicates that sounion was a sacred area as far back as the bronze age, but the temple visible in our day was built in the middle of the 5th century bce between 444 and 440 bce. A brief history of the temple of poseidon, sounion culture trip. Temple of poseidon in the cape of sounion and marathon. This fullday excursion combines ancient greek history with mythology through a wonderful experience. Experience the breathtaking sunset while the late afternoon sun bathes the temple of poseidon with a golden glorious glow.
In a prominent position on the promontory, the temple was the first and last visible sight of attica for anyone arriving or leaving by sea. Sounion is located 69 km southeast of athens, at the southernmost tip of the attica peninsula. Cape sounion is noted for its temple of poseidon, one of the major. The sanctuary at sounion is one of the most important sanctuaries in attica. Sounion is the setting for several episodes in greek.
It isnt the first temple to occupy the site and isnt unique in the area. Cape sounion is the promontory at the southernmost tip of the attic peninsula, 8 kilometres 5. Its the perfect way to maximize your time in athens in the company of an expert local guide in the morning, and a must for beach and sunset lovers. The temple of poseidon is situated directly opposite the resort and is in plain view from several kilometres. Spend half a day out of athens by heading to the rugged and stunning cape sounion where youll wander around the 444 bc temple of poseidon, the greek god of the sea. Explore the famous attractions of greece grab the chance to visit the famous cape sounion and temple of poseidon.
Mycenae a guide to its ruins and history archaeological guides. Almost every major greek archaeological has a story in greek mythology, and the temple of poseidon at cape sounion is no exception. Make the scenic coastal journey by comfortable airconditioned luxury car or mini van. Sounion is a rather small site, so there was less content than some of the others, and most of the photos were of the temple of poseidon from different angles. One reason why so many people are drawn to see the famous temple today is because of its unbelievable cliff side sunsets. Sounion or sunium was an important ancient greek religious sanctuary sacred to the gods poseidon and athena. Archaeological evidence indicates that sounion was a sacred area as far back as the bronze age, but the temple of poseidon visible in our day was built in the middle of the 5th century bce between 444 and 440 bce. The ancient greek temple of poseidon at cape sounion, built during 444440 bc, is one of the major monuments of the golden age of athens.
Temple of poseidon sounio updated april 2020 top tips. For information about free and reduced admission to greek state archaeological sites, monuments and museums please press here. Make sure you know the history of his temple by answering the questions on this printable worksheet. Presentation of temple of poseidon at sounion by gtp. The temple of poseidon in cape sounion makes a perfect day trip from athens. Spectacularly located on a promontory in southern attica, the site is dominated by the temple of poseidon perched on the cliff edge, seventy metres above the sea.
Built to honour the ancient sea god, the temple dates back to 444440 bc and was constructed from local white marble in doric style. Wind your way along the coastal cliffs and beaches on the scenic drive to cape sounion, then grab your camera as you spot the magnificent remains of the temple of poseidon, perched high on the sea cliffs. Temple of poseidon tour excursion to sounion context. Built in the 5th century bc, it is beautifully located on a hill top. Furthermore, learn about the temples history from your private driver. Workout, experience, live, and interact with the ruins, in a way that no one else does. The temple of poseidon at sounion is the best halfday trip you can do out of athens with the possible exception of the zoo. The cape sounion area is naturally beautiful, and the ruins of the temple of poseidon occupy the highest point of the cape. There may be a direct shuttle line available viain association with citysightseeing. Temple of poseidon, athens ticket price timings address. Herodotus 6,87 informs us that the athenians celebrated there a great fouryearly festival. How to travel by bus to the temple of poseidon from athens. During this 5hour day trip from athens, well venture out to sounion with an archaeologist to explore the site.
835 605 809 295 420 878 1081 743 1092 1119 283 966 1052 488 389 1317 1349 1116 16 1537 1238 666 119 979 140 465 1435 203 964 1176 946 496 456 186 819 597 46 303 915 1376 644 727 963