Eleusis Attractions Elefsís
Within the present-day industrial town of Elefsína, on the coast 22km/14mi west of central Athens, is the site of ancient Eleusis, home of the Eleusinian mysteries, an important sanctuary dating back to Mycenaean times.
The Eleusinian cult arose out of the myth of the goddess Demeter, who lamented at the Kallichoros well here the loss of her daughter Persephone, abducted by Hades; and no corn grew until Zeus commanded that Persephone should be allowed to return annually in spring. Demeter thereupon established the Eleusinian mysteries, in which she was honored as the granter of fertility and Persephone (also known as Kore, the Maiden) as an annually returning vegetation goddess.
The initiates of the mysteries, who were admitted in two stages to the Lesser and the Greater Eleusinia, appear to have been given the promise not only of the annual renewal of nature but also of a resurrection.
The Aiskhylia festival, with ancient dramas, are held on the site annually in August and September.
The Eleusinian cult arose out of the myth of the goddess Demeter, who lamented at the Kallichoros well here the loss of her daughter Persephone, abducted by Hades; and no corn grew until Zeus commanded that Persephone should be allowed to return annually in spring. Demeter thereupon established the Eleusinian mysteries, in which she was honored as the granter of fertility and Persephone (also known as Kore, the Maiden) as an annually returning vegetation goddess.
The initiates of the mysteries, who were admitted in two stages to the Lesser and the Greater Eleusinia, appear to have been given the promise not only of the annual renewal of nature but also of a resurrection.
The Aiskhylia festival, with ancient dramas, are held on the site annually in August and September.
Read More
Sanctuary of Demeter
The Sanctuary of Demeter is complex with the remains of structures and a history dating back to the 14th C B.C.
Aiskylia Festival
The Aiskhylia festival, with ancient dramas, is held on the site annually in August and September.
Greater Propylaia
From the entrance to the site of Eleusis we come first to remains dating from the Roman period - two triumphal arches and between them the Greater Propylaia, a gateway in the old precinct wall of the sanctuary built in the reign of Antoninus Pius (A.D. 138-161) in imitation of the Propylaia on the Acropolis of Athens. The pediment was set to the right of the entrance, which was approached by a broad flight of steps. In the interior of the marble Propylaia are five gateways.
Kallichoron Well
To the south of the Propylaia (outside the precinct wall) at Eleusis and on a lower level can be seen the circular mouth of the Kallichoron well at which Demeter lamented the loss of her daughter. In order to avoid disturbing this ancient structure the base of the Propylaia was cut away. Behind the well is the polygonal wall built by Kimon in the fifth century B.C.
Lesser Propylaia
Beyond the Greater Propylaia at Eleusis we come to the Lesser Propylaia (54 B.C.). To the right, on the slopes of the hill on which the ancient city lay, is the Cave of Pluto, the legendary entrance to the underworld.
On the hill is a chapel of the Panayía (Mother of God), occupying the site of a Roman megaron. From here the Sacred Way leads past an altar on the right to the central feature of the sanctuary, the Telesterion.
On the hill is a chapel of the Panayía (Mother of God), occupying the site of a Roman megaron. From here the Sacred Way leads past an altar on the right to the central feature of the sanctuary, the Telesterion.
