Athens East Suburbs Unveiled: A Journey Through Time and Tradition

Embark on a delightful day exploring a distinguished winery boasting award-winning wines, a cutting-edge olive press, and a remarkable archaeological site. This isn’t your typical tourist destination frequented by visitors to Athens; instead, it is a place steeped in history, dating back to the Neolithic era and, more notably, the early Helladic years (3500 – 2000 BC).

Konstas Olive Oil Mill

Established in 1970, the Konstas olive oil mill, located in Kalivia, Attica, is a family business offering a captivating journey through the history and cultivation of olives. Just 10 minutes from Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, this olive oil mill provides visitors with a unique experience.

The tour begins with a stroll through the scenic olive grove, accompanied by a presentation on the history and cultivation of olive trees in the Mediterranean region. The mill’s premises showcase state-of-the-art equipment and modern extraction methods, with demonstrations explaining the olive oil production process.

Between February and September, when the mill is not in operation, guests can enjoy a video and slide show depicting the stages of cultivation and production from olive to oil. The experience concludes with a tasting session, allowing visitors to savour the exquisite flavours of Konstas olive oils.

Papagiannakos Winery

Founded in 1919 and located in Markopoulo Attica, just 30 kilometres from the Athens city centre, the Papagiannakos winery is the first bioclimatic winery in Greece, marking a new era in winemaking. The family-owned vineyards are primarily planted with the Savatiano variety, while other Greek indigenous varieties such as Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, and Agiorgitiko are cultivated by the family’s third generation. Domaine Papagiannakos wines have earned numerous awards, holding a distinguished place among Greece’s finest exports.

Visitors have the unique opportunity to explore the bioclimatic winery’s specially designed facilities, where the winemaking process embraces environmentally friendly practices. A guided tour offers insights into the winemaking techniques, and guests can partake in tastings of the acclaimed wines, immersing themselves in the rich flavours and traditions of Greek viticulture.

The Temple of Artemis at Vravrona

The Temple of Artemis of Vravrona is nestled within a captivating landscape, surrounded by a picturesque wetland adorned with lush vegetation, nurtured by the winding river Erasinos. Approaching from Athens, your journey takes you through an area teeming with bushes, fig trees, and vineyards.

This sanctuary in Vravrona stands as one of Attica’s oldest and most significant sites, reaching its zenith of prosperity from the mid-5th century BC to the entire 4th century BC.

The archaeological site itself is dominated by a modest Doric temple dedicated to Artemis, constructed in the first half of the 5th century BC, occupying the site where an older Archaic temple once stood. Notably, this temple served as a place of worship for Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon, who narrowly escaped sacrifice in honour of Artemis, the goddess who intervened at the eleventh hour.

The site boasts several remarkable monuments:

The Grand Doric Stoa: A monumental structure with a Π-shaped ground plan, constructed between 425 and 415 B.C. This imposing stoa enclosed a spacious interior courtyard that faced the temple of Aphrodite. Notably, Professor Ch. Bouras undertook a meticulous restoration of the stoa during the 1950s and 1960s.

The Temple of Artemis: A Doric prostyle temple featuring a tripartite cella and a deep adyton. This temple, erected in the first half of the 5th century B.C., stands on the site of a preexisting Archaic temple dedicated to Artemis.

The Temple or Heroon of Iphigeneia: Constructed at the location of the Sacred Cave, which became associated with the tomb and worship of Iphigeneia following the collapse of the cave’s roof. The earliest evidence of cult activities at this site dates back to the 8th century B.C.

The Stone Bridge Over the River Erasinos: A notable stone bridge spanning the river Erasinos, enhancing the site’s accessibility and adding to its historical charm.

Adding to the allure of the site is the captivating Archaeological Museum of Vravrona. The numerous votive offerings uncovered during excavations reveal the multifaceted nature of Artemis’s worship. She was venerated not only as a goddess of nature but also as a guardian of children, marriage, childbirth, and pivotal moments in women’s lives.