East Attica between museums and ancient sites

In East Attica, history stretches from mining finds to ancient sanctuaries. Museums in Lavrion, Marathon and Vravrona are devoted to different eras and subjects; Ramnous and Cape Sounion add to the archaeological sites. There are also Lake Marathon and protected landscapes. This gives your trip a variety of focuses—from collections and buildings to nature and the sea.

Museums and their themes

At the Archaeological Museum of Lavrion, finds from the mines and metalworking workshops illustrate human life and activity in the region from 5000 BC to the 6th century AD. The collection also includes finds from Lavreotiki and its surroundings, including Sounion and Thorikos. Mining and metalworking give the museum a distinctive profile among East Attica’s archaeological themes.

The permanent exhibition at the Archaeological Museum of Marathon presents the history of the region from prehistoric times to the Roman period. The finds on display include objects from the prehistoric cemeteries of Vrana and Tsepi, from the graves of the Athenians and Plataeans who fought at the Battle of Marathon, and from the Roman sanctuary of the Egyptian gods at Brexiza. The different sites represented here span a broad historical period.

The Archaeological Museum of Vravrona is located near the archaeological site of Vravrona. It houses finds dating from the 3rd millennium BC to the 4th century AD. The permanent exhibition presents the Sanctuary of Artemis at Vravrona, as well as the history of Mesogaia and its surroundings. Alongside individual artefacts, the exhibition focuses on a sanctuary and the history of a region.

Sanctuaries and buildings

The Sanctuary of Nemesis at Ramnous dates to the 6th century BC and is considered the most important sanctuary of this deity in the Hellenic region. At Brexiza in Nea Makri, the sanctuary of the Egyptian gods is square and measures 50 by 50 metres. Finds from this Roman sanctuary can also be seen at the Archaeological Museum of Marathon.

The Amphiareion, on the road to Kalamos, served as an oracle from the 5th century BC. The archaeological site lies in a pine-covered valley by a spring. The site can therefore be understood both in terms of its ancient function and the landscape described here. A path also leads down to the sea from the ancient city of Ramnous.

Fifteen of the 45 Doric columns still stand at the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Visitors come to Sounion and the temple throughout the year, particularly in summer, to experience sunsets and the rising of the full moon over the cape. The Marathon Dam provides a different architectural highlight: built between 1926 and 1929, it is 54 metres high and 285 metres long, and clad in Pentelic marble. The Mineralogical and Mining Museum of Kamariza is housed in the former building of the drive motor.

Landscape and trip planning

Ramnous-Limiko is designated a landscape of outstanding natural beauty; the protected area covers 261.2 hectares. Lake Marathon lies in northeastern Attica, 28 kilometres from the centre of Athens, covers 2,450 acres and is one of Attica’s important wetlands. These two places complement the archaeological themes with landscapes that differ specifically in their size and designation.

In the wider travel destination of Attica, the Schinias Wetland is the region’s largest coastal wetland and an important stopover during spring and autumn bird migrations. Several reptile species, as well as the endemic fish Pelasgus marathonicus, live along the banks of its canals and ponds.

Historically, a fish market and small ouzo tavernas shaped the port of Lavrion. Regular suburban buses run from Marathon to Athens; they depart mainly from Pedion Areos in central Athens. Check timetables and departure points before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Drafi, East Attica, Mikrochori, Spata, Lavrion, Zastano, Paiania, Poria, Marathon, Varnavas, Artemida, Agios Panteleimon, Pallini, Thimari, Drosia, Agios Konstantinos, Vravrona, Anávissos, Sounion, Vari, Palaia Fokaia, Porto Rafti, Kryonéri, Agios Stefanos, Kalamos, Skala Oropou, Koropi, Kalyvia Thorikou, Grammatiko, Vouliagmeni, Voula, Markopoulo Mesogaias, Rafina, Keratea, Kouvaras, Kato Posidonia, Pefka.

For the wider travel overview: Attica.