Sanctuary of Poseidon

Ancient sanctuary where Demosthenes took his own life in 322 BC

The Sanctuary of Poseidon at Kalaureia was one of the great religious centres of ancient Greece — a seat of an important amphictyony (inter-state religious league) that bound together seven city-states including Athens, Nauplia, and Orchomenos. The cult site goes back to at least the 7th century BC and the sanctuary functioned as a place of asylum, which is why Demosthenes sought refuge here.

The remains are modest but atmospheric: foundations of the temple, votive deposit pits, and sections of the precinct wall spread over a pine-covered hillside in the middle of the island. Swedish archaeologists have been excavating here since the 1990s and continue to find significant material. The walk up from town through the pines takes about 45 minutes; the site itself is unfenced and free to visit. Views over both sides of the island from the hilltop are excellent.

things to do ancient site
A story
In 322 BC, Demosthenes — Athens' greatest orator and the most implacable enemy of Macedonian rule — fled here after the defeat of the Lamian War. Antipater's soldiers followed him into the sanctuary. Rather than submit to capture, he drank poison he had concealed in a pen. By some accounts, he walked outside the sacred precinct before dying so that the sanctuary would not be polluted by his death. Antipater had him declared an enemy of Greece; the Athenians later erected a bronze statue of him in the agora.