est of Athens, in a distance of about 22 km., you will reach Eleusis. Eleusis lies on a plain known as the "Thriasian Plain" on the road that goes to the Peloponnese. In antiquity Eleusis was one of the most important sanctuaries, dedicated to Demeter and her daughter Persephone, and connected to the Eleusinian Mysteries and the succession of the seasons.
There are countless theories, which have tried to explain the mysteries. Unlike elsewhere in Greece, where religion was open to all, at Eleusis the mysteries were controlled by a small, closed group of initiates who had sworn to uphold the strict confidentiality of the secret rites. The archaeological site at Eleusis is one of the richest in Greece. It starts at the external yard where the Sacred Way from Athens ended; this is followed by large porticoes, a rectangular fountain, arches, public and private buildings, hot springs, inns and baths for the pilgrims.
In the center of the yard is the amphiprostyle of the temple of the propylaia of Artemis and Poseidon, the ancient well where women danced in honor of Demeter and Persephone. The Greater Propylaia is followed by the sanctuary, the Prytaneum, the sacred dwelling of Kirykos, and the underground cisterns. After that is the found the Plutonion, the temple of Pluto Hades, and in the cavity of the rock, the chasm through which the god of the underworld led Persephone back to earth. The internal Sacred Way takes you to wide stairs. The nearly amphitheatrical formation of the space leads to the hypothesis that the mysteries were held there. Continuing along the Sacred Way you reach the famous Eleusinian Telesterio. The god no longer lives there nor in any of the other ancient Greek telesteria. It held 3,000 spectators of the Mysteries. The Palace was in the center of the hall of the Telesterio.

he Museum of Eleusis is at the archaeological site. In it are found noteworthy displays of Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman sculpture, as well as ceramics, weapons, copper and gold jewelry from the prehistoric period. After Eleusis the road heads on toward Corinth passing through the Megarid. At the beginning of the first millenium BC the Megarid was united into a powerful state with its center at Megara.
Euclid, founded the famed Megaran School of Philosophy (440-380 BC). The region of Megarid is very rich in archaeological sites. The old automobile road Megara-Corinth passes along an area that falls straight to the sea; this is Kakia Skala. Many myths and stories are connected to the area. Here were also the Scironian Rocks; Sciron stood at the top of them and threw passersby into the sea. The area was delivered when Theseus killed Sciron in the same way.

inetta is the final coastal spot in Attica. It is a pretty town with houses and gardens which go down to the sea. Leaving Eleusis, and following the old National Road you can visit some beautiful and interesting places like Oinoe, Villia, Elateia, Porto Germeno (the ancient Aigosthena), Eleftheres, and Panakto. These places have a very rich history during the times and the remains of the past are still there.

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