Αt the crossroads of religions (Eleusis, Daphni Monastery)

Detailed Itinerary

• 09:00am departure to Eleusis that for 2000 years (1600 B.C-400 A.D) was considered to be along with Athens, Olympia, Delphi and Delos, among Ancient Greece’s most-sacred cities.
• In Eleusis archeological site you see the Roman Courtyard, the Cistern, the Small Propylaea, the Plutonion, the Voulefterion, the Telesterion and the Sanctuary of Demeter.
• You also listen about the Eleusinian mysteries, dedicated to the goddesses Demeter and Persephone, used to be the “most famous of the secret religious rites in ancient Greece”. The rites, ceremonies, and beliefs were kept secret and consistently preserved from antiquity. For the initiated, the rebirth of Persephone symbolized the eternity of life which flows from generation to generation, and they believed that they would have a reward in the afterlife
• You next visit the Monastery of Daphni, located almost half-way along the ancient Sacred Road from Athens to Eleusis. The first monastery was erected on the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo in the 6^th century A.D., and was enclosed by strong defensive walls; but fell into decline when Greece was severely damaged following invasions of barbarians in the 9^th & 10^th A.D. Then, in the 11^th A.D, the Monastery was restored and a new octagonal church, a refectory and a chapel for the cemetery were built. Daphni Monastery is designated UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant historical and architectural value, also masterpiece of middle Byzantine architecture, and especially for its sumptuous interior gold mosaics.
• This iconic journey will be concluded in Athens around 13h00.