Rhamnous

(Local Name: Ramnoús) Rhamnoús is an ancient city and coastal stronghold on the northeast coast of Attica, opposite the island of Euboea. It is reached from Marathón by way of Káto Soúli (8km/5mi), continuing past the turning for Ayía Marína (on the right, 5km/3mi) for another 2km/1.25mi.

Approaching from the south, we come first to the terrace of the sanctuary of Themis and Nemesis, the goddesses of order and retribution. Immediately adjoining a temple in antis dedicated to Themis and built of polygonal limestone masonry (ca. 500 B.C.), which housed a cult statue by Agorakritos, is the larger temple of Nemesis, built in marble. This is a Doric peripteral temple with 6 x 12 columns which was begun about 430 B.C. but - as can be seen from the unfinished state of some of the columns - never completed. In front of the temple is an altar. From the temple terrace there are beautiful far-ranging views over the site of the ancient town, now largely overgrown by macchia, and across the gulf to the hills of Euboea. A footpath flanked by tombs leads down to the sea, above which rises the acropolis hill. Remains of walls can be seen on the east side, of a theater on the seaward side.