Temple of Poseidon at Sounion

Why go

Hellenic Heritage says the Doric temple of Poseidon was built in the mid-5th century BC on the ruins of an earlier temple destroyed by the Persians, and stands at the highest point of Cape Sounion within a sanctuary walled on the landward side; it adds that some relief slabs of its frieze are displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Lavrio. The Ministry of Culture's Odysseus page describes a fortress whose walls enclose the sanctuary of Poseidon and a settlement, says visitors now enter the fortress across the east part of the wall, and places the sanctuary of Athena on a low hill about 400 metres to the north-east. The two sources describe the frieze differently: Hellenic Heritage names the Centauromachy and the Gigantomachy, Odysseus the Centaur battle and the deeds of Theseus. The official ticket store sells entry as 'Visit Sounion' and says entry is timed, a ticket may be changed up to two hours before the visit and tickets are not refundable. The site is in the municipality of Lavreotiki, not in Athens.