What is Cape Sounion known for?
Cape Sounion is noted for its Temple of Poseidon, one of the major monuments of the Golden Age of Athens. Its remains are perched on the headland, surrounded on three sides by the Aegean sea.
Who built the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion?
Iktinos
The Temple of Poseidon was built between 444 and 440 BC, by Iktinos, during the Golden Age of Pericles. The temple is located approximately 200 meters above sea level on the edge of a rocky cliff offering stunning views of the Aegean Sea during sunset.
What happened to the Temple of Poseidon statue?
Pericles, the famous Athenian leader, rebuilt the temple of Poseidon probably around 440 B.C. but only some columns of it stand till today. A 5m tall statue of Poseidon used to stand inside the temple, but today only a part of it survives and it is displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Athens.
What happened at the Temple of Poseidon?
The original, Archaic-period temple of Poseidon on the site, which was built of tufa, was probably destroyed in 480 BC by Persian troops during Xerxes I’s invasion of Greece.
Is Sounion worth visiting?
Cape sounion is worth fitting in if you are an energetic person- you can have almost a full day in Athens (leaving around 4 pm)and then go to sounion for the sunset. The bus tours are expensive and not worthwhile for this trip- the guide doesn’t add that much to your appreciation of the site.
Why was Poseidon temple built?
Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio At the end of the Sounio Peninsula at the southernmost point of Attica, lies the Temple of Poseidon within a fort that protects the coast of Attica. Made entirely of white marble, it was erected in the middle of the 5th century BC and built to honour Poseidon, god of the sea.
How old is the Temple of Poseidon?
2500-year-old
A 2500-year-old temple overlooking the Aegean Sea. It was devoted to Poseidon, the Olympian God of the Sea, and is located at the edge of Cape Sounion at the southern coast of Attica, with a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea.
What did the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion look like?
It was rectangular, with a colonnade on all four sides, and had a frieze depicting the tale of Theseus and the Battle of Centaurs.
Can you visit the Temple of Poseidon?
Hours: The temple is open every day of the year from 9:30 until sunset with the last entry allowed 20 minutes before the sunset time. It may be closed on holidays. Tours: Many tour companies offer guided half-day tours that include pick-up and drop-off in Athens.
Is Poseidon real?
The SS Poseidon is a fictional transatlantic ocean liner that first appeared in the 1969 novel The Poseidon Adventure by Paul Gallico and later in four films based on the novel. The ship is named after the god of the seas in Greek mythology.
Can you swim at Temple of Poseidon?
We came to see the Temple of Poseidon but also found an amazing private beach to swim at. We spent over an hour walking around the temple and were ready to be refreshed by a nice swim. We ask the ticket vendor where the best place to swim was.
Is the Temple of Poseidon worth it?
Definitely! The Poseidon Temple is one of the most beautiful ancient sites in Greece. If you’re visiting Athens, it’s absolutely worth making a trip down to Sounion to see the temple up close, and enjoy the fantastic sea views.
Is the Temple of Poseidon worth seeing?
How much does it cost to visit the Temple of Poseidon?
10 Euros
The trip from the Greek capital is very picturesque with many places to stop along the way, and many nice beaches to cool yourself set in beautiful bays. At the site there’s free parking and entry fee is 10 Euros.
Is Poseidon evil or good?
Poseidon was god of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses and is considered one of the most bad-tempered, moody and greedy Olympian gods.
When was the temple of Poseidon in Sounion?
Temple of Poseidon in Sounion. Archaeological evidence indicates that Sounion was a sacred area as far back as the Bronze Age, but the temple visible in our day was built in the middle of the 5th century BCE (between 444 and 440 BCE).
How to get to the temple of Poseidon?
The Temple of Poseidon is located at Cape Sounion at the southern tip of mainland Greece. The easiest way to reach the attraction is by bus since numerous bus services are operating from Athens.
When was the temple of Sounion built?
Archaeological evidence indicates that Sounion was a sacred area as far back as the Bronze Age, but the temple visible in our day was built in the middle of the 5th century BCE (between 444 and 440 BCE).
How many columns are there in the temple of Poseidon?
Pericles rebuilt the temple in around 440 BC, although only 16 of the original 38 columns stand today. The temple also housed a massive Bronze statue of Poseidon, although only a part of it survives and can be found at the Archaeological Museum of Athens.