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Yesterday the weather had cleared up (thankfully) and a visit to the Temple of Artemis at Brauron ensued which was quite interesting, although once again the viewing had to take place from the wrong side of the fence (or the right side as the law may see it). The museum here boasted some beautiful glass artefacts, two necklaces and some small amphoriskoi, that were bright blues and yellows. They looked so modern as if someone had bought them at a market, I was so surprised by the richness of their colour, Thorikos, the second destination boasted a theatre and the remains of some silver mines. Sounion, the next stop was stunning. The Temple of Poseidon loomed imposingly from the cliff while the bitterly cold wind whipped through its columns and the seas crashed upon the rocks. Ideal for a temple dedicated to Poseidon! It helped me to think about why places are considered sacred. Why are sanctuaries placed there? Why do they become popular? Having said it was stunning it was also freezing, and better viewed from the café at the bottom of the hill!!!
Today motion sickness reined. Poseidon was wreaking havoc with the seas. A short (ish) ferry ride from Piraeus to Aegina was followed by a winding bus trip to the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Aphaia and then to a large hill covered in old churches. The island of Aegina was, however, worth the queasiness. The temple of Apollo was only one column and so required quite a lot of imagination! It was surrounded though, by Mycenaean remains of houses and small buildings. Even more exciting is this: I found two shards of painted, black figure pottery!!! Unfortunately though I had to throw them back on the ground because if I took them and happened to be caught I would be arrested (see Mum, I am doing my best to stay out of prison!). It is so tempting to own a something that was held by someone 1500 years ago.
The Temple of Aphaia was in really good condition with quite a considerable amount surviving. Most interestingly it still has part of two inner walls surviving. I found this extremely interesting because I have never seen it before (clearly I wasn't Google searching hard enough!). It is definitely worth a visit if you ever happen to be in the area. Now on to the giant hill that we climbed up, via goat track, weaving in between churches of various ages to reach the remains of a castle and small church. It was well worth the hike. The view was spectacular.
I have uploaded some more photos, look out for the Temple of Poseidon and the view of Aegina!
Sadly it is not all horsing around, I'm off to do my washing!
- comments
Kerry Love the updated photos Rach although i have a few concerns. If the ones of the limbs are an advert for a prosthetic surgeon i don't think they would get much work, too many digits missing and were they based on real people ? My their legs were huge. Good to see the underfloor heating has survived the test of time but really it's a bit like a 'plane and the black box' theory though....why didn't they build the houses out of that material?? And i had to look twice at the dog, i didn't think he was having a scratch! As for the shoe soles it puts a whole new idea on masseur sandals!! Keep them coming though xx