VRAVRONA
The region of Vravrona is located 40km. away from the center of Athens, an ideal destination for the weekend. Vravrona used to belong to the mythical king Cecrops, the founder of Athens, being situated only 1 km. southeast of the archaeological site.
The organized, sandy beach is ideal for swimming and relaxation. The visitor can find here various hotels, traditional cafeterias and tavernas.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
• «Temple of Artemis»
The Temple of Artemis, also known as « TheParthenon of the Bear Maidens», dating in the 6th century B.C., rests on a low rock spur south of the river. The few remains of the architecture allow an identification of the temple as being of Doric order.
The Persians destroyed the sanctuary in 480 B.C. and took the cult statue back to Susa. The temple was reconstructed in 420 B.C.
The Temple of Artemis is one of the earliest and most revered sanctuaries of Attica. There is, also, a prehistoric acropolis close to the site, as well as, a tiny Byzantine chapel of Saint George.
The Vrauronian Artemis was worshipped as the goddess of vegetation and hunting and as the protector of women in child-birth and of the newborn.
Votive dedications at the sanctuary include a number of young children’s statues, as well as, various items pertaining to feminine life, such as jewelry boxes and mirrors. Large number of miniature kraters, (krateriskoi), have been recovered from the site many depicting young girls, (clothed or nude), racing or dancing.
The excavation of the site began in 1945. Among the monuments of the settlement are: the Π-shaped stoa around the interior courtyard, the small temple, (perhaps a heroon of Iphigeneia), and the stone bridge over the Erasinos river.
Π-shaped stoa: The Doric stoa faces south towards the Temple of Artemis. It was built of local limestone covered in marble stucco, while the Doric capitals, metopes and lintels were made out of marble.
Small shrine: About 12m. southeast of the Temple of Artemis a small shrine was built. The area has been associated with the propitiation of Iphigenia, perhaps in the form of a heroon.
Stone bridge: It is the only known example of a Classical period bridge in Greece. It uses the standard post and lintel construction of its time.
• «Archaeological Museum»
The small museum of Vravrona houses significant exhibits from the site throughout its period of use. The most famous exhibits are as follows:
1. The Arkton Statue, beautiful devotes marble statues of young children.
2. The votive relief to Artemis. The goddess is represented seated with a deer, welcoming the pilgrims. The relief was found in the sanctuary and dates to the 4th century B.C.
Admission
Full: 3 euros
Reduced: 2 euros
