Cape Sounion- Greece

 

Cape Sounion-

The Temple of Poseidon is located on the promontory

 at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula.

It is south of the town of Lavrio. 

When traveling between Cape Sounion and modern day Piraeus,

 the Athens port, you would pass by Cape Sounion itself 

and the Temple of Poseidon.

The beautiful blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

The Temple was constructed in 444-440 BC on the seaside cliff.

It was built on the remains of an earlier structure that was nearly

 finished in  480 BC. Then the Persians invaded Attica in 480 BC 

sacking the sanctuary, the worksite and destroying the temple.

• Around 323 BCE: Throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the temple continues to gain prosperity, and attract more and more followers. 
• 1st to 3rd century AD: With the rise of Christianity and the decline of Pagan worship, the Temple of Poseidon is slowly abandoned.
• 18th & 19th century: The temple is re-discovered by European travelers, who begin documenting their journeys to Cape Sounion. 
• Late 20th century: The Greek Archaeological Society restores a portion of the archaeological site of Cape Sounion. A few sections of Poseidon’s Temple are also restored. By the turn of the century, it begins to attract the attention of tourists. 

We know that in the year 51 Paul went to Athens by boat. Athens was no longer the bright city of classical times. Works of art had been pillaged and Athens was in decline. He probably anchored in Faliro near the Kifissos river.  (Currently a river buried under the sprawling city of Athens.) We can't be sure exactly what Paul saw as he entered the harbor, but the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon would have been a landmark for all seamen. Paul would have seen the same blue waters and coastline. He would have noticed the islands that dot the waters. Sometimes on a Footsteps of Paul Tour, it is challenging to scrape away all the layers and years to get the View. This site may help us to See What Paul Saw. Time in Athens was difficult for Paul.  

Standing here on the top of this windy cliff helps us to hear the heartbeat of Paul beating for the people of the city of Athens.

Adding in here some photos from our 2022 trip in March.

The light was very different. And VERY WINDY and cold.