The archaeological site of Vravrona or Brauron is in Attica near Athens Airport and has the Sanctuary of Artemis, the Sacred House and an excellent little Archaeological Museum.
Unusually, the ancient site of Vravrona is located at the foot of a hill rather than on top of one, as many sites are. On the crown of the small hill here is a pretty little Byzantine chapel dedicated to St George: Agios Giorgios.
The village and site are in a valley surrounded by agricultural land, an attractive area with abundant wildlife. The people are welcoming as they aren't over-run with visitors and they appreciate anyone who makes the effort to visit the site.
The story of Vravrona is a fascinating one. Its main focus is the mysterious Sanctuary of Artemis, of which only the foundations remain today. Artemis is the Greek equivalent of the Roman goddess Diana, is the daughter of Zeus, and the twin sister of Apollo. She was the moon goddess as well as the goddess of childbirth, the harvest, hunting, and wildlife.
Every four years a festival would take place at Vravrona in which young girls would dress as bears and dance. Aristophanes refers to the dance in his play Lysistrata, but like the one that centered on the site at Eleusis, to the west of Athens, we don't know exactly what took place at Vravrona or why.
In his play Iphigenia at Tauris, Euripides relates events at Vravrona. Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, was held responsible for a strong wind that prevented the Greek ships from sailing to Troy, prior to the Trojan War. The wind was sent in retribution for the killing of one of the wild animals that Artemis protected, probably a bear. Agamemnon agreed to the sacrifice of his daughter on the altar of Artemis at Vravrona so that the ships could set sail.
According to Euripedes, the goddess spared Iphigenia because she would not allow her altar to be stained by human blood, and substituted a deer for the sacrifice instead. Iphigenia went on to found the sanctuary here, dedicated to Artemis.
In other versions of the story Iphigenia was indeed sacrificed. Her alleged grave was discovered here, south of the stoa (a colonnaded building) and next to the remains of the Sacred House, where the priestess of the Artemis cult stayed during the festivals.
By the 4th century BC, the area here had flooded and the communities that had arisen all disappeared. The village of Vravrona eventually reestablished itself, but it was not until 1946 that work began on uncovering the site of ancient Vravrona, work that continued until 1963. It revealed the remains of a 5th-century BC temple and, next to it, a stoa that may be even older. Inscriptions describe it as 'the Parthenon of the Bears'.
Beside the stoa are the remains of one of the oldest stone bridges you will see anywhere in the world. The structure dates back to the 5th century BC. Other evidence from the site points to the existence here of stables, a gymnasium, and other buildings, but these have not yet been roperly uncovered.
The Archaeological Museum is a few minutes' drive south of the site, towards Porto Rafti. It displays finds from the site and elsewhere, and is intriguing despite its comparatively small size. It includes a scale model of the temple that gives a vivid impression of how the site would have looked in its prime. It's worth finding the time to visit the museum.
Among the more important exhibits is a decorated stirrup jar from about 1200-1000 BC that was found in the late-Mycenaean cemetery at Perati, a 5-minute drive south of Vravrona. Also notable is a beautifully-detailed statue that has been dated to the fourth century BC, depicting a young girl holding a rabbit. Several other statues and busts date from the same period, and there is a fascinating collection of pottery and jewellery.
A votive relief of Artemis, from Vravrona itself, also dates from the 4th century BC. It shows the goddess seated and welcoming pilgrims of all ages.
There is a bus service which stops outside the ancient site, if anyone wants to visit. It comes from Loutsa, which is about 5.5 miles (9 kms) north of Vravrona, so you could also walk if the bus times aren't convenient. There are buses to Loutsa from Athens, and the journey takes about 90 minutes.
The easiest way to get to Vravrona is obviously by rental car, and the journey from central Athens should take about 45 minutes.
Alternatively, you could rent a car at Athens airport, from where it's only a 20-minute drive to Vravrona. It's even close enough to take a taxi, if you can negotiate a fixed price with the driver to take you to the site and to the museum, and return you to the airport.
Islanders make a huge variety of pies. They roll out sheets of pastry like silk or make fluffy pockets of dough, and fill them with wild greens and delicious cheeses.
A new coffee table book by travel writer Isabella Zambetaki presents the enormous variety and wealth of Crete's handicrafts, past and present.
Read on for the best summer hangouts on charming Tinos, from village cafes and tavernas to spectacular beaches and cultural tours, in one mini guide.
From lush and historical natural sites with jaw-dropping views to shopping, dining and fun activities, this route offers a cornucopia of things to discover.
Even though close to Attica, Kythnos knows how to stay under the radar. This carefree island is the ideal destination for our first summer excursions.
When thinking about summer in Greece, one of the first things that pop into your mind, except for the sandy beaches and turquoise waters, is the unsurpassed sunsets of the Greek islands. Indeed, sunse…
Sun-drenched beaches with crystal-clear waters and fine sand are what Greece is mostly known for all around the world. And, justifiably so, since Greece has a coastline of a whopping 13,676 kilometers…
Summer is already here, and the summer holidays are fast approaching. So, if you plan to enjoy them with your family, it would be great to have some activities planned. As you know, children (and adul…
Greece’s Ministry of Culture announces its decision to make 11 wrecks accessible to divers, under the supervision of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.
Monemvasia, on the southeastern shores of the Peloponnese, Greece is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited castle town. Founded in 583 by inhabitants of the mainland seeking refuge from the Slavic an…