Eleusis as one of the Holy cities of antiquity is a matter of course to have a significant archaeological site.The myth of Demeter and her daughter, Persephone, who was taken by the god of the underworld Hades, is associated with Eleusis.The sanctuary of Eleusis was one of the most important devotional centers of the ancient world, where the goddess Demeter was constantly worshipped from the Mycenaean period till the end of the 4^th century AD, the goddess of the renewal of nature and the grain's vegetation, who taught the cultivation of land and the sacred ceremonies to man.One of the largest initiation ceremonies of antiquity, the Eleusinian Mysteries, took place in complete secrecy in the sanctuary.At the entrance of the archaeological site is still preserved the stone-paved courtyard in which eventuated the Sacred Road (IeraOdos), i.e. the road followed by the Athenians to attend the mysteries.There you will see the temple of Propylaea Artemis, the "Eschara" (Grate), a Roman drinking fountain and two Triumphal Arches.Then, the visitor enters the sanctuary of Demeter via the Great Propylaea next to which is located the "KallichoroFrear", the well where Demeter sat during her perambulation looking for her daughter was found in Eleusis.Then the visitor will encounter the Small Propylaea, next to which is located Ploutonio (the sanctuary of Pluto) and finally ends up in the Telesterion, the main temple of the goddess.A museum has been founded in the archeological site, in which significant findings from the site are displayed, such as several vases and parts of statues as well as the oversized statue of a kistoforos (carrying a basket) Caryatid, who was one of the two Caryatids supporting the roof of the Small Propylaea.
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 08:00-15:00, Monday: Closed