Get to know Vravrona or Brauron (modern Vraona), in east Attica, one of the twelve ancient Attic townships traditionally united by Theseus into a single Athenian state. It was well known from ancient times for the worship of Artemis, who had an important temple there and in whose honour a festival, Braurōnia, was held annually. This was celebrated with particular splendor every fourth year.

Goddess Artemis

Goddess Artemis was a powerfull and great leader and protector. Artemis was a Greek goddess. Artemis was the goddess of hunting and wilderness/nature. She was also a goddess of childbirth, and the protector of the girl child, up to the age of marriage.

Her twin brother, Apollo. was similarly the protector of the boy child. Together the two gods, were also bringers of sudden death and disease. Artemis targeted women and girls, and Apollo  men and boys. In ancient art Artemis was usually depicted as a girl dressed in a short knee-length chiton and equipped – with a hunting bow and quiver of arrows. When Zeus asked Artemis what presents she wanted for her third birthday she responded without hesitation that she wanted six things:

1) To be allowed to live without having to be distracted by love and marriage,
2) A bow and arrow just like her brother’s,
3) A hunting costume and freedom from having to dress up like a lady,
4) The job of bringing light into the world,
5) Sixty young nymphs to be her companions and to help take care for her hunting dogs,
6) And all the mountains on the earth to live on.

In conclusion Artemis could be both destructive and kind, she was one of the major Greek goddesses, and she is known as a fierce hunter as well as a protector.

Brauron is one of the most evocative sites near Athens. Although little remains of its former architectural glory, finds in the museum reveal its importance as the centre of worship of Artemis, Beside the temple stands a late Byzantine chapel, dedicated to Saint George. Ramnous is a remote but beautiful site, overlooking the gulf of Evoia.

It is the only Greek sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of vengeance, Nemesis.

We will end this great tour driving back to Athens using the same route.