Sounion, Archaeological site and cape in Lavreotiki Municipality, Greece
Sounion is a headland at the southern tip of the Attica peninsula, with the remains of a Doric temple standing on a limestone cliff roughly 60 meters above the water. Fifteen columns still rise upright, forming a recognizable rectangle together with the foundation remains above the blue sea.
The site served as a sanctuary in the 5th century BC, and after destruction by the Persians the current temple was built around 440 BC. The new structure followed stricter Doric proportions and replaced the earlier building entirely.
Ancient Greeks dedicated this place to the god of the sea and asked for safe passage before long voyages. Visitors today come especially at sunset, when the light warms the standing columns and the view stretches across the water to the distant islands.
Buses run regularly from Athens along the coastal road, taking around two hours. The site is quieter in the morning, while late afternoon draws crowds to the terraces to watch the light over the sea.
Sailors in ancient times spotted the white columns on the dark rock from far away and knew they were approaching Athens. Lord Byron carved his name into one of the columns when he visited the site in the early 19th century.
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