Eleusinian Mysteries, mysteries in Greece

Eleusis and the Eleusinian Mysteries

The Sanctuary of Eleusis is situated 22 km west of Athens, bordered on its south side by the Saronic bay.Today it's a very interesting archaeological site.
The name Eleusis comes from the Greek word for"arrival" as masses of people would arrive here for the sacred rituals known as the "Eleusinian Mysteries" held in the honor of the Great goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone.
The information we have from ancient sources (including Pausanias) about the Sanctuary and the sacred rituals performed there is almost non existent as it was strictly  forbidden under penalty of death even to talk about them. So the Eleusinian Mysteries are still a mystery to us and the only certain thing is that they were related to life after death and the preparations for it.
Euripides , the famous tragic poet, wrote:"Happy will be the mortal who has participated in the initiations, for when he descends to Hades, he will gain eternal life, while others will know only despair and Hell"
The Sanctuary was administrated by the Eumolpids and the Kerykes, all coming from royal descent as the cult of the goddess was started during the Mycenaean times by the king who was also the High Priest. The ritual lasted for nine days. The first dedicated to sacrifices and purifications in Athens. The seventh day a procession would start from the city and following the Sacred Way 22 km long, would reach Eleusis by dusk with the high priest bearing the "Hiera" (sacred objects). The last two nights the sacred rites would take place in the "Telesterion" the most important building in the Sanctuary, the holiest of the holies, the Hall of the initiations.
The Telesterion is an almost square building and there were seats for 3.000 people that could participate the "dromena", the sacred performances .
Next to the Teleterion , where the rock forms a cavernlike opening , is the Plutonion (symbolic entrance to Hades, the god of the underworld. This was the spot where Hades disappeared taking with him Persephone, the beloved daughter of Demeter.

Written by Sophia Kokkinou, archaeologist/guide/writer

Salvatore Adamo in Greece, News from Greece

Adamo will celebrate in Athens his 50-year career, 500 songs and over 100 milion record sales . On Tuesday 01/04/14 at the Athens Concert Hall, Salvatore Adamo, honorary Patron of International Foundation for Greece, presents all his unforgettable hits, as well as songs from his new album "La Grande Roue".

Cars roll uphill on Pentelikon mountain, Mysteries in Greece

On Pentelikon mountain, which is situated northeast of Athens and southeast of Marathon, there is a particular spot of a road that is considered to have anti-gravity properties, as the cars can roll "upwards".

If you stop your car on this spot, put it in neutral and let off the brake, you will realize that it will roll uphill.

Some scientists claim that this is just an optical illusion. They explain that sometimes hilly areas where the horizon is obscure it is difficult to judge the slope of a surface. If the horizon cannot be seen we may be fooled by objects , as for example trees, that we expect to be vertical but in reality they might be leaning. Thus, a very slight downhill slope appears to be un uphill slope.

But apart this scientific theory there is one that claims that the phenomenon is consequence of electromagnetic and gravitational fields.

Others believe that this is a product of supernatural forces that scientists cannot explain.

At this point we should mention also some other clues that should be taken under consideration.

Pentelikon is a mountain on which several other strange things are happening.

The existence of other mysterious places in this area as the cave of Davelis , which is a place of worship from the antiquity till today, the tower of duchess of Plakentia (places for which we will give more details at another article).The existence of an American base at nearby Nea Makri and the military installations at several places on the mountain that were officially telecommunication installations. The strong interest of the military about the area. The mysterious works that took place in the area and the report of mysterious phenomena, as strange lights and sounds, paranormal activity and Ufos. Last but not least we should mention the fact that it's from this mountain that ancient Greeks took the marbles to build the Parthenon on the Acropolis Hill. It is a fact that over the Acropolis birds don't fly and the function of cell phones is affected.

So, is it just an optical illusion or there is something deeper?

GREEK ISLANDS

Greece has about 6.000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and the Ionian Seas, 227 of which are inhabited.

The largest Greek island is Crete, which is located at the southern edge of the Aegean Sea. Crete is divided into four prefectures: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Lassithi.

The second largest island is Evia (Euboea), which is separated from the mainland by the 60 m wide Euripus Strait.

The rest of the islands are divided into the following groups:

1) The islands of Argosaronic, in the Saronic gulf near Athens: Angistri, Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Spetses, Salamina.

2) The Cyclades, a large group of islands located in the central part of the Aegean Sea. They are so called because they form a circle (="Kyklos", cycle). The most known of the Cyclades are Amorgos, Anafi,Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos, Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros as well as the "Minor Cyclades" (Donousa, Irakleia, Kofonissia and Schinoussa)

3) The Northeastern Aegean Islands: Agios Efstratios, Thassos, Ikaria, Lesbos, Limnos, Oinousses, Samos, Samothrace, Chios, Psara.

4) The Dodecanese = "twelve islands" , in the southeast between Crete and Turkey. They are a group of 12 big and 150 small islands, 26 of which are inhabited. The most known are Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, Astipalea, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastellorizo, Leros, Nissyros, Symi, Tylos, Agathonissi, Chalki, Farmakonissi, Lipsi, Pserimos.

5) The Sporades, a small group located between the mainland and the islands of the North Eastern Aegean: Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros.

6) The Ionian Islands, located to the west of the mainland in the Ionian Sea. They are 12 small and large islands. The seven larger are Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca, Paxi, Kythira and they are also called Eptanissa ="7 islands". Antipaxi, Erikousa, Mathraki, Othoni, Skorpios, Strofades and Meganissi are smaller islands in Ionian Sea.

Picturesque villages, wonderful beaches, sunny weather, breathtaking landscapes, archaeological treasures, delicious food, warm hospitality: these are some of the reasons that make the Greek Islands unique and worth visiting. 

MOUSSAKA, Greek traditional recipies

    MOUSSAKA




Ingredients
olive oil
3 large aubergines, sliced
2 chopped onions
3  cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tea spoon cinnamon
1/2 tea spoon sugar
pepper, salt
600 gr minced  beef
2 table spoons tomato purée, mixed with 150ml water or 1/2 k chopped tomatoes
Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 leaf laurel
For the bechamel:
4 cups milk(warm)
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1  cup flour
1 cup kefalotyri or pecorino cheese or parmesan, grated
2 eggs, beaten
salt, pepper, nutmeg

1. Cut the aubergines into round slices  and put them in salted water for about 1/2 hour. Squeeze the aubergines with your hands, to dry them . Fry them  in olive oil until nicely colored and then place them on some paper in order to absorb the oil.

2. Prepare the meat sauce:Put 2 tbsp olive oil into a  frying pan over a medium high heat and cook the onion for about 1 minute until  slightly coloured. Add the minced meat and brown it well. Add the garlic, cinnamon ,oregano, pepper, salt parsley and tomato. Turn the heat down low and cook for about 30 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.  

3. Prepare the bechamel:  Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat till it melts. Add the flour into the butter  stirring it  continuously with a whisk . Gradually pour in  the heated milk always whisking constantly.Add pepper nutmeg and salt. Take off the heat and add the beaten eggs  and the cheese. 

4. Put the half of the aubergines in the base of an oven dish, add salt, pepper and some grated cheese and top with half the meatsauce. Repeat these layers and top with the bechamel.   Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top .Bake for about 40 minutes at 180 CF until nice browned.

OLYMPIA, the birthplace of the Olympic Games

Ancient Olympia

Olympia is in the west of Peloponnese. It was the Panhellenic religious and athletic center , a vast sanctuary with various temples and altars enriched by gifts of the faithful. The ex-votos, the monuments and the treasuries belonged to Zeus, the father of the gods and humans. For more than a thousand years here was held the greatest athletic festival that the world has know, the Olympic Games.

During the festival the different Greek races forgot their quarrels. Athletes (only of Greek descent) from as far apart Sicily and Asia Minor  competed under the protection of a sacred truce.

The first day was for the sacrifices and libations to Zeus and Hestia, the goddess of hearth. The second day took place the chariot races and the pentathlon (wrestling, long-jump, running, discus and javelin). The third day was given up to a procession and the official sacrifices on the Altar of Zeus.  In the Stadium took place foot-race(dromos), armed-race (hoplitodromos). The fourth day was for boxing and wrestling. The fifth day the festival ended with a procession of the victors (Olympionikes) who were given a crown made of a branch of olive-tree! Increasing honors were heaped on them and their statues were erected in the Sanctuary.

Near the entrance of the archaeological site , there is a stele which contains the heart of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the reviver of the Olympic Games (1896).

The Altis (the sacred grove) lies at the foot of the Kronion Hill at the confluence of the rivers Alpheus and Kladeus.

Here is a description only of the most outstanding buildings of the sacred Altis:

The Gymnasium (4rth c. B.C) was used for foot-races during bad weather.

The Palaestra (3rd c. B.C) used for wrestling und boxing.

The Theokoleon , where the high priests lived

The ruins of the Workshop of Pheidias, the great sculptor of the 5th c. B.C.

The Leonidaion (3rd c. B.C)was used as a hostelry for the public guests (ordinary pilgrims stayed in tends)

The Bouleuterion was the Palace of the Olympic Senate. Here the athletes took an oath to keep the rules of the games.

The Temple of Zeus (468 - 456). It was the greatest temple of Peloponnese . The architect was Libon of Elis. It was Doric style, peripteral, with 6 columns on the short and 13 on the long sides. The total height of the temple was 20 m.

In the cella of the temple was the statue of Zeus, work of the great sculptor Pheidias. The statue was made of gold and ivory and it was one of the Sever Wonders of the ancient world.

In the Museum of Olympia one can admire the magnificent statues that decorated the pediments of the temple.

We must mention also the Temple of Hera. It was the first temple to be built in the Altis in mid of the 7th c. B.C. in Doric style, peripteral with 6 columns on the short and 16 on the long sides. In the cella of the temple was the statue of goddess Hera sited on a throne and beside her Zeus wearing a helmet. In the cella was found the famous statue of Hermes of Praxiteles which can now be seen in the Museum of Olympia.

Hermes of Praxiteles, Ancient Olympia

We finish with the Stadium where one enters through a vaulted tunnel. Its length is 192,27 m. The track was surrounded by an embankment and this is where the spectators stood. It could seat about 20.000 people. This is the Stadium where the Olympic Games were held from the Archaic era 776 B.C. to the end of the Roman Empire 393 A.D.

The vaulted tunnel, Ancient Olympia

Info

Telephone: 00302624022517

Tickets: Full € 9, Reduced € 5

Opening hours: weekdays 08:00 - 17:00, weekends 08:00 - 15:00

Written by : Sophia Kokkinou, guide/archaeologist/writer

DELPHI, The famous Oracle

The sanctuary of Delphi - one of the most important and largest of ancient Greece- is located on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassos at a height of 580m above sea level.The location of the sanctuary of Pythian Apollo below the vertical rocks Phaedriades is breathtaking.The Delphic worship dates from the Mycenaean period. The first deity who was worshipped here was Gaia (Mother earth) while Apollo's began when he slayed the Python, the dragon - guardian of the oracle.The oracles were given by a priestess called Pythia. The Pythia would go at dawn to the sacred fountain Castalia to purify her body and then would drink the water from fountain Kassotis to purify her soul. Then she would get into the adyton of the temple and sit on the prophetic tripod (a three legged stool). After chewing laurel leaves and inhaling some mysterious exhalations coming out from a 'chasm' , she would get into trance. All her answers to the questions were ambiguous and this way the oracle was never wrong.The sanctuary of Delphi grew rich with wonderful buildings and excellent works of art which have been offered by the city-states and the faithful for the prophecies which they had taken. To visit the sanctuary you follow the Sacred Way which is decorated on either side with votive monuments, statues and Treasuries. The Treasuries were storehouses for offerings put up by the rich Greek cities. One of them is the Treasury of the Athenians. A marble doric prostyle building. Following the Sacred Way you pass in front of the Porch of the Athenians and you see the Great Altar, right in front of the Temple of Apollo. Colossal doric peripteral temple, 58 m. long and 23 m. wide, with 6 columns on the narrow and 15 on the long sides, built in the 4 th. c. B.C. The interior of the temple was divided in 4 parts. The most sacred was at the back of the cella where was the "oracular chasm" from where Pythia took mainly her prophetic power.From the Temple of Apollo a flight of steps leads up to the Theatre which is one of the best preserved in Greece today. It was built the 4rth c. B.C. and its capacity is about 5.000 spectators.Further up of the theatre is the Stadium. Every four years here held the famous "Pythian Games" in Apollo's honor. The stadium could seat 7.000 spectators.Not far from the archeological site is the Museum of Delphi which contains the findings from the excavations and the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer.

Info

Telephone 0030 2265082313

Ticket : Full  € 9 , Reduced € 5

Opening hours: 08:00 - 15:00 h

Written by Sophia Kokkinou , guide/archaeologist/writer

EPIDAURUS, the healing center of Ancient Greece

The ancient theatre of Epidavros, Greece

Epidavros (Epidaurus) is situated in the northeast of Peloponnes on the eastern side of Argolis.
The Sanctuary was founded in the 4rth cent. B.C. in the honour of Asclepios, the god of medicine.
Masses of worshippers and sick people from all over Greece flocked here seeking relief and cure. The priest-doctors, the Ascepiadae, as they named the descendants of Asclepios, served the god and maintained the secrets of healing which were passed from father to son.
The sanctuary is built amidst a peaceful evergreen landscape with crystal clear waters.
In the Sanctuary which was surrounded by a peribolos wall there were many temples, most of them built in the 4rth c. B.C.
The Temple of Themis goddess of justice, the Temple of Artemis on the pediments of which were statues of Nikes (Victories) that they survive, magnificent works of the sculptor Timotheos.
Close by to this temple are the ruins of the Abaton. This was the dormitory where the sick slept, hoping for a dream in which the god would indicate the method of their cure.
Close by is the famous Tholos (rotonda) . A remarkable building of the 4rth.c.B.C. built after the plans of the great architect Polycleitos the Younger. This circular building was intended to be a place of cult practice.
The Temple of Asclepios, work of Theodotos, housed the gold and ivory statue of the god. The god was sitting on a throne holding a cane in one hand , while his other was stretched out over the head of a serpent which was the symbol of the god.. The temple was in doric style, peripteral with 6 columns in the narrow and 11 on the long sides.
The Stadium of Epidavros was built in the 5th c. B.C.
The jewel though of Epidavros and one of the marvels of Greece is the Theatre which was built by Polycleitos. This theatre is worldwide known forits acoustics. It is perfectly preserved and still in use.
Very interesting is the museum of Epidavros which contains the statues and the architectural fragments of the buildings of the sanctuary. 

Info

Telephone: 0030 27530 22009

Tickets : Full € 6, Reduced € 3

Opening hours: 08:00 - 18:00

Written by: Sophia Kokkinou . guide/archaeologist/ writer

THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS

The Caryatids, Akropolis of Athens, Greece

Acropolis means the upper fortified part of an ancient city, so every town had one.The most famous though was the Athenian Acropolis for its magnificent marble temples that were built in the 5th c.B.C. during the golden Age of Pericles.According to mythology the town got its name from the goddess Athena when she defeated Poseidon in a contest as to who would be the patron of the town. Poseidon offered to the Athenians a horse while Athena offered the first olive-tree (the symbol of peace). The best gift was considered by the Athenians to be the olive-tree and so Athena became the patroness of the town. In her honour they built on the Acropolis the Parthenon, the best temple ever built to honour a god.

On the way up to the Acropolis you enter from the Propylaea, the monumental gateway. This magnificent entrance was erected in pentelic marble. It consists of a central body and two wings and it is decorated with six doric columns outside and two rows of Ionic inside,three on either side.

In front of thePropylaea on a bation is standing a small graceful temple dedicated to Athena Nike (Athena Victory) also known as the Temple of wingless Victory. The lovely marble building was built around 437 - 415 B.C. by the great architect Kallikrates. It is in ionic style amphiprostyle with 4 columns on the narrow sides.

Passing through the Propylaea you are on the top of the Acropolis and you see on the northern part the Erectheion and on the south the Parthenon.The Erectheion is the most elegant and at the same time the most harmonious creation of Attic art. It was the most sacred temple of the rock Acropolis as here took place the contest between Athena and Poseidon, so the eastern part was dedicated to Athena and the western part to Poseidon. The temple was built from 421 - 407 B.C. by the architect Philocles in Ionic architecture. On the souther side is the famous "Portico of Kores" the six female statues called Caryatids. One can admire the original 5 in the new Acropolis Museum while the sixth is in the British Museum.

Opposite the Erecthteion stands the magnificent Parthenon, the temple of Athena. The architects in charge were Ictinos and Kallikrates while the artistic work and the general supervision were undertaken by the genius sculptur Pheidias. Works begun in 447 and finished in 438 B.C. The temple was made entirely of white Pentelic marble. It is doric, peripteral, amphiprostyle with 8 columns on the narrow and 17 on the long sides. The eastern pediment above the main entrance depicted the birth of Athena who had just sprung out from the head of Zeus. On the western pediment was shown the contest between Athena and Poseidon for the possession of the city. The famous frieze which surrounded the external walls depicted the Panathenaic Procession. 360 figures and lots of sacrificial animals , climbing the Acopolis rock in Athena's honour. Part of the procession is in the New Museum of the Acropolis and the rest in British Museum removed and taken by Lord Elgin.

To complet the visit of the Acropolis one has to visit the New Museum of the Acropolis, which is located at the foot of the Acropolis.

Info
Acropolis:
Telephone 0030210 3214172
Tickets:Full: €12, Reduced: €6
Special ticket package: Full: €12, Reduced: €6
Valid for: Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Agoraof Athens, Arcaeological museum of Kermaneikos, Hadrian's Library, Kerameikos, Museum of the Ancient Agora,Olympieio, Roman Agora of At, North Slope of Acropolis, South slope of Acropolis
Opening hours : 08.00-17.00 Last admission 16.30

New Acropolis Museum:
Telephone 0030 210 9000900
Opening hours
Tickets: 5 euros
Opening hours 1 November – 31 March:Tuesday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Last admission: 4:30 p.m.)
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Last admission: 9:30 p.m.)
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Last admission: 7:30 p.m.)
1 April – 31 October:Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Last admission: 7:30 p.m.)
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Last admission: 9:30 p.m.)
Closed: Every Monday

written by Sophia Kokkinou, guide/archaeologist/ writer

TZATZIKI, Greek traditional recipes

A tasty greek cool and creamy dip. It fits perfectly with grilled meats.

Ingredients:
1 cucumber
250 gr greek yoghurt
2 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon vinegar
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt, pepper


Preparation:
Wash the cucumber , grate it and squeeze it well.
Mix it with the jogurt and add the garlic (finely grated) , the vinegar, the olive oil, salt and pepper.

Enjoy it!!!

Ancient Corinth, famous greek archaeological sites

 CORINTH

Ancient Corinth is lying at the foot of Acrocorinth and  was one of the oldest and most important cities of the Peloponnes. It is situated near the Isthmus which connected mainland Greece with Peloponnes. The city was inhabitated since the Neolithic Age (5.000 BC) Its golden Age however was the 7th - 6th cent. BC under the tyrant Periander who was one of the 7 sages. Today one can visit the Agora, which was the market during the Roman period, surrounded by the porticoes where were the shops. The Propylaea was the gate way to the Agora and from there started the famous Lechaion road paved with marble and decorated with shops and statues on both sides. This was the principal route from Corinth to the port of Lechaion on the Corinthian Golf.Near the Propylaea is the famous Pirene Spring. There are six basins for dipping water communicating with a large underground reservoir. In about the center of the Agora is the "Bema". a monumental platform . From there the Apostel Paul appeared to defend himself and the Christian religion before the Roman Governor Gallio. On the hill, above the Roman Agora, is standing the Temple of Apollo , one of the most ancient temples of Greece. Today only seven large monolithic columns remain. The temple was built in 570 B.C in doric style with 6 columns on the narrow and 15 on the long sides.Near the temple is the entrance to the Museum which contains the finds from the excavations.Right beside the entrance to the archaeological site one can visit the Odeion and the Theatre.

The Pirene Spring

Info
Telephone : 0030 27410 31207
Tickets Full: €6, Reduced: €3
Opening hours: Winter:From the 1st of November until the 31st of March 8:00-15:00
Summer: From the 1st of April until the 31st of October:08:00-15:00

written by Sophia Kokkinou, guide/archaeologist/ writer

SOUNION: THE TEMPLE OF POSEIDON, Famous greek archaeological sites

The temple of Poseidon

Cape Sounion is at the southern-most tip of Attica, 68 Km from Athens. On top of a steep,60 m. high cliff above the Aegean Sea, the Athenians built a wonderful marble temple dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea.
According the legend this is the cliff from which old Aegeas, the king of Athens threw himself to his death in desperation, beleiving that his son Theseus had been devoured by the Minotaur. Since then this sea has been called "the Aegean Sea".
Th temple of Poseidon  was build by the Athenians in 444 B.C and it is still  well preserved.  It is a doric architecture peripteral with 6 columns on the narrow and 13 on the long sides.
On the north corner of the doorpost Lord Byron carved his name.

Info

Τelephone : 0030 22920 39363
Tickets : Full: €4, Reduced: €2
Opening hours :9:30 a.m. - sunset

writen by Sophia Kokkinou, guide/archaeologist/ writer

general information about Greece

General Information about Greece

Looking at a world Atlas, you will discover that Greece lies in Southeastern Europe, in the southernmost corner of the Balkan peninsula.Greece is bound by the Aegean Sea to the east and south and by the Ionian Sea to the west, both parts of the Mediterranean Sea.

The area of the country is 131.944 square kilometers, of which the mainland covers 106.777,76 square kilometers and the islands 25.166,24 square kilometers. There are hundreds of islands, scattered all over the blue seas, offering unforgettable moments to the visitors, on the golden beaches beneath the mediterranean sun.

Four fifths of the land are mountainous and the tallest mountain is Olympus, at the north of the country with a height of 2.917 meters.Maybe this was the reason why ancient Greeks imagined that the Olympian Gods chose it to build their palaces upon, on its inaccessible summits that no man could reach.

Greece is a developed country, member of the European Union since 1981 and of the Ecoomic and Monetary Union of the European Union since 2001.

The population of Greece is 11.500.000. The religion is Christian Orthodox and the regime is Presidentisal Republic. The climate is mediterranean, mild, with moderate rains in the winter, while the summer is dry and very sunny.

Greece has one of the reachest flora in the world, with about 4.050 indigenous species.

Greece is considered as the cradle of western civilization as it is the birthplace of democracy, arts, sciences, as philosophy, literature, medical sciences,political sciences,mathematics, astronomy and the Olympic Games