e are on the road, which take us to Cape Sounion. After Vouliagmeni follows Varkiza, a beautiful seaside suburb, and then we found Saronida, Anavyssos, and Legrena. At the end of the drive exactly in the southernmost point of Attican peninsula is the unique Cape Sounion embraced by the Aegean Sea, with the temple of Poseidon at its highest point and the enchanting view. For the ancient Greeks Sounion was a place of great strategic importance and in 412 BC large fortification works were built there at the sacred headland as the Athenians called the cape. Today the ruins of the temple of Poseidon can still be seen there. Of the entire temple 15 columns have survived which stand out impressively. There at the end of the rock are the "Mooring-rocks" as the sailors call them, because when they see them from the open sea they know they are near the harbor of Piraeus. The temple of Poseidon was built in 444-440 BC. The carvings on the frieze depict scenes from the Battle with the Centaurs, the Battle with the Giants and the feats of Theseus. Below the temple of Poseidon are the ruins of the temple of Souniada Athena.

n a distance of 9 km. from Sounion on the east coast of Attica we find Lavrio. Lavrio is full of moments from the past, both ancient and more recent. Lavreotiki, one of the richest mining and ore regions in the world, began to offer its wealth (silver, lead, iron, and copper) to miners as far back as prehistoric times (3100 - 3000 BC). This unique wealth contributed in Athen's welfare through time.
Today worthy of note is the Mineralogical Museum, which contains most of the known minerals of Lavreotiki. Next to Lavrio is ancient Thorikos with the oldest theater in Attica, the Arma of Thespis, in an unusual ellipsoidal shape.

Back to the greater Attica's magic

Previous highlight The Eastern Attica's magic	Next highlight The Western Attica's magic

Photos and informations taken from "Athens - Attica" (Toubis Editions) (C)Copyright for the Web: Greekislands.com