The Marathon

Marathon lies on the northeast coast of Attica, facing the Aegean Sea.

The town is best known for the decisive battle fought there in 490 BCE during the first Persian invasion of Greece. In this clash, the Athenians, aided by their Plataean allies, routed the Persian army. The victory is considered one of the pivotal moments in world history, as it allowed the Greeks to continue developing the culture that would become the foundation of Western civilisation.

Marathon also gave its name to the long-distance race. According to legend, after the battle, the messenger Pheidippides ran roughly 42 kilometres to Athens to announce the victory with the words, “We have won,” before dying from exhaustion. Today, the Athens Classic Marathon retraces this historic route each year, ending at the Panathenaic Stadium.

The town is also home to Lake Marathon, a man-made reservoir constructed in the 1920s to supply Athens with water. Its dam, unusually clad in Pentelic marble, remains a striking sight and is well worth a visit.

Beyond its history, Marathon offers a variety of attractions:

Modern life: Today, the town is renowned for its agricultural products, particularly vegetables and potatoes, as well as for being a popular retreat for Athenians. Schinias Beach is a favourite spot for swimming and water sports, while the Olympic Rowing Centre continues the region’s sporting legacy.

Geography and nature: Set in a fertile plain framed by mountains and open to the Euboean Gulf, the area has long been cultivated with olives, vineyards, and grain.

Archaeology: Sites such as the Tomb of the Marathon Warriors, ancient temples, and Neolithic remains reveal Marathon’s long human presence.