Famous for its secret rites known as the Eleusinian Mysteries, Eleusis was one of the most sacred cities of Ancient Greece, playing an important role in Greek mythology and a Homeric Hymn. It even rivalled the oracle in Delphi and the Temple of Zeus in Olympia as one of Greece’s most sacred sites.
Dedicated to the worship of the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, the sanctuary of Eleusis and its religious procession attracted pilgrims from all over the ancient world and has been influenced by numerous cultures, including Bronze Age Greece, Macedonian occupation during the Hellenistic Periods, and later Roman constructions.
Whether you are looking to explore some of the best ancient ruins in Greece or trying to immerse in the historical setting of the religious sanctuary, this is everything you need to know to enjoy a fun and informative visit to the Archaeological Site of Ancient Eleusis, Greece.
Visit Ancient Eleusis, Greece: A Brief Guide
Ancient Eleusis Opening Hours:
Wednesday – Sunday: 08:00 – 17:00. Closed on Tuesdays.
Ancient Eleusis Ticket Prices: €6 general admission / €3 reduced rate during off-season. Includes admission to the archaeological site and associated museum.
Ancient Eleusis Address: Eleusis 192 00, Greece
Nearby Hotels: Elefsina Mysteries Apartments | Eleusis Suites | Elefsina Hotel
Tours: Elefsina Private Tour | Eleusis & Sanctuary of Demeter Private Tour from Athens
Top Sights: The Sacred Way | The Sacred Court | Greater Propylaea | The Mycenaean Megaron
Ancient Eleusis Map
Ancient Eleusis: A Brief History
The Founding of a Sanctuary
The first settlements started to spring up on the east side of the slopes of the Thracian plain of ancient Elueis starting at the beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE.
By the 16th century BCE, during Mycenaen times, the settlement had expanded to the hill’s summit, and the first temple to the Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, was constructed a century later under the reign of the legendary King Celeus.
Like ancient Corinth, Eleusis was a key city throughout the Bronze Age thanks to its location near the isthmus connecting the Peloponnese to the rest of mainland Greece. By the 7th century, Eleusis officially merged with the nearby Athens as a deme of the Hippothontis phyle (tribe).
Following this merging, ancient Eleusis further rose as a powerhouse of the ancient world, with a fortified wall encompassing Akris Hill and the sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone, the daughter of Demeter. Along with Phyle and Panakton, this new fortress became one of the most important strongholds in Attica.
While Eleusis was already famous within the Greek world thanks to its Eleusinian Mysteries of Demeter, the most famous sacred rites that predate the Greek Dark Ages (1000 BCE – 750 BCE), Eleusis reached the peak of its prosperity when Athens adopted the ceremony into its official calendar around 600 BCE.
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Eleusis
Elevated to a new status within the religious cults of ancient Greece, Eleusis underwent a series of additions over the following century, including the constructions of the theatre of Dionysus, the Telesterion, and the enlargement of the Sacred precinct.
Eleusis expansion was brought to a sudden halt in 479 BCE, when invading Persians conquered the site, destroying the sanctuary and adjacent city.
Fortunately, Eleusis was promptly rebuilt, first by Cimon, followed by Pericles, who continued the rebuilding and included the reconstruction of a larger Telesterion, making it the largest building in Greece at the time.
Returning to its former glory, Eleusis once again served as one of the keystones of the ancient Greek faiths, rivalling that of Delphi. The site was sought after by each rising superpower conquering the region, with both the Macedonians and Romans fortifying the city throughout the Hellenistic times and the Roman period.
From the early 2nd century onwards, Eleusis was placed firmly in the hands of the Romans, who underwent a series of constructions within the site, with the emperors Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius and others adding the monuments of the triumphal arch, the greater propylaea, a gymnasium, and much more.
The sanctuary continued to prosper for over five centuries, serving as an important pilgrimage site for worshipers of the cult of Demeter and her daughter Persephone until 379 CE, at which point the Roman Emperor Theodosius I decreed the closure of all pagan sites.
Eleusis was destroyed just over a decade later by the Visigoths, and Eleusis was all but abandoned until archaeological excavations began uncovering the site in the 19th century.
Things to See and Do in Ancient Eleusis
1. The Sanctuary of Demeter
Making up the brunt of the Archaeological site, the sanctuary of Demeter was the religious center of the ancient city and the site of the Eleusinian Mysteries. It attracted ancient Greeks and pilgrims from all over the ancient world and rivalled the sacred importance of the oracle in Delphi.
Later, in Roman times, the sanctuary of Demeter even attracted high-level officials, with it being popular amongst Roman emperors and nobles to be initiated into the religious ceremonies, with the emperor Hadrian undergoing his initiation in around 125 CE.
Among the sanctuary’s most important ruins are the remnants of the large temple of Demeter known as the Telesterion, the Sacred Court, the porticoes, and the Greater and Lesser Propylaia.
2. The Sacred Way (Iera Odos)
Also known as the Iera Odos, the Sacred Way starts in Karameikos, Athens, and ends in Eleusis and marks the routes of the religious procession undergone at the beginning of the Mysteries of Eleusis.
While most of the road has been built over, the beginning can still be explored at the Archaeological Site of Karameikos, while the brunt of the remaining portions of the path is still preserved in Eleusis.
Visitors can continue beyond the Sacred Way, which ends at the north end of the court and turns into the Processional Road. Followed by ancient initiates in the mysteries, this path connects the Lesser Propylaea to the Telesterion and was once lined with marble slabs, statues, and Doric columns.
3. The Sacred Court
The official ending of the Sacred Way, the Sacred Court was an important stop along the Eleusinian Mysteries and housed the structure known as the Eschara, which dates to between the 8th and 2nd centuries BCE.
The site also houses altars to the goddesses Persephone and her mother Demeter, along with the temple of Artemis Propylene, which dates back to the 2nd century AD.
4. The Greater Propylaea of Eleusis
A Roman addition to the sanctuary constructed near the end of the second century CE, the Greater Propylaea served as a monumental gate leading to the site of the sanctuary and was an exact copy of the Propylaea leading into the Acropolis of Athens.
To the east side of the Greater Propylaea is an underground cistern, which was once used to provide water to the sanctuary.
5. The Archaeological Museum of Eleusis
While it may not be as exciting as touring the authentic ruins of the sanctuary, the Archaeological Museum of Eleusis is a must-visit site and houses many remnants of the ancient city, including sacred objects, artifacts, and sculptures retrieved from the excavations.
Admission to the museum is included in your ticket to the archaeological site, which is located adjacent to the facility.
How to Get to Ancient Eleusis, Greece?
Visitors taking public transport from Athens can reach Elsuiss along bus lines 845 and 871 from Piraeus, line 876 from the Agia Marina metro station, or line 878 from Acharnai. Meanwhile, those looking to take a taxi or drive can find directions below from various popular tourist centers in the area.
Where to Stay Near Ancient Eleusis, Greece?
Ancient Eleusis is often visited as a day trip from Athens. Still, the following are some great accommodations in the modern town of Eleusis for those looking for a quiet stay near the ruins.
FAQS About Ancient Eleusis, Greece
Where is Ancient Eleusis, Greece?
Located within the modern-day city of Eleusis, ancient Eleusis sits atop the fertile plain of Thria. It is about 23 km west of Athens and overlooks the island of Salamis across the Bay of Eleusis.
How Much is Admission at Ancient Eleusis, Greece?
General admission to the Archaeological Site of Eleusis costs €6 per ticket. This price drops down to €3 during the off-season, while the site also offers free admission on various holidays. Tickets include access to the archaeological site and associated museum.
How Long Do I Need to Explore Ancient Eleusis, Greece?
While there is plenty to see in Eleusis, the site itself isn’t that big and can likely be explored within an hour if you are in a rush. However, to fully explore the site and immerse in the history behind it, I would plan to spend two to three hours at the archaeological site of ancient Eleusis.
What Are Some Other Archaeological Sites Near Ancient Eleusis, Greece?
If you enjoyed learning about Greece’s European capital of culture, be sure to check out these other fantastic ruins and archaeological sites located nearby.
- Kerameikos Archaeological Site
- Archaeological Site of Heraion & Perachora
- Archaeological Site of Ancient Corinth
- Archaeological Site of Nemea
