General information
| Destination | Category |
|---|
| Athens, Greece | Sightseeing Tours |
Program details
Discover why Greece has always had a special relationship with religion on this fascinating tour of Eleusis and Daphni. From Ancient times to the modern day, Greece has always been a crossroad of religions and civilizations and you will explore the intriguing transition from the worship of Zeus to the rise of Christianity. This program aims to highlight how this transition occurred and what were the reasons behind the successful adoption.
Explore the stunning archaeological site of Eleusis, one of the most important locations in Ancient Greek religion and the cradle of the “Dodecatheon”, the twelve most important deities of their religion. Eleusis is also home to the Eleusinian Mysteries, an ultra-secretive initiation ceremony for the cult of Demeter and Persephone. Participants believed that they would receive great rewards in the afterlife so guarded the traditions with their lives. Your expert guide will lead you through the site and recount the legends of the past.
Proceed towards Daphni and admire the 11th century Byzantine monastery that is situated on the Sacred Way that led to Eleusis. Previously a sanctuary of Apollo, the monastery christianised an important religious site but combined elements of its previous architecture, demonstrating the evolving religious practices of the time. The church of the monastery has a colourful history having been sacked by various armies, declared a world heritage site and subsequently damaged by the 1999 Athens earthquake. Compare the different aspects of these Christian and Ancient Greek religious sites as you analyze the evolution of Greek religion and cultures through the ages.
Meeting/pick-up point: Hotel lobby.
Start/opening time: At 9am.
End/closing time: At 1pm.
Languages: English, French, German and Italian.
Italiano