Brauron (modern Vravrona) sits near the coast of eastern Attica, about 38 km from central Athens. The Sanctuary of Artemis here was one of the most significant in the ancient world -- young Athenian girls came here for ritual ceremonies before marriage, and the site features in the mythology of Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon.

If the major sites like Delphi and Mycenae are the headliners, Brauron is the deep cut -- the sort of place that rewards visitors who care about ancient Greek religion and daily life rather than just monumental architecture.

The History

The sanctuary dates back to at least the 8th century BC, though there's evidence of activity on the site from Neolithic times. It was dedicated to Artemis Brauronia -- Artemis in her role as protector of women, childbirth, and the transition from girlhood to womanhood.

Every four years, a festival called the Arkteia was held here. Young Athenian girls aged 5-10, called "arktoi" (bears), performed ritual dances wearing saffron-coloured robes. The exact nature of the rituals is debated, but they seem to have been a rite of passage -- a transition from childhood to eligibility for marriage.

The myth linking Artemis to Brauron involves a sacred bear. According to one version, a bear sacred to Artemis was killed by Athenians, and the goddess demanded that young girls "play the bear" in ritual compensation. The bear imagery runs throughout the site's iconography.

What to See

The Archaeological Site

The Temple of Artemis -- The foundations of the 5th-century BC temple are visible. It was a relatively modest building, reflecting Artemis's association with nature rather than civic grandeur.

The Stoa (Parthenon of the Bears) -- A large pi-shaped stoa (covered colonnade) that served as a dormitory for the young girls during the Arkteia festival. The stone dining couches where they ate and slept are still visible. This is the most substantial structure on the site.

The Sacred Spring -- A natural spring sacred to Artemis, around which the earliest cult activity centred.

The Stone Bridge -- A well-preserved ancient bridge crossing the stream near the sanctuary. One of the best-preserved Classical-era bridges in Greece.

The Chapel of Agios Georgios -- A small Byzantine chapel built into the ruins, a common pattern in Greece where Christian worship overlaid pagan sacred sites.

The Museum

A small but excellent museum adjacent to the site. The highlights are the votive offerings left at the sanctuary -- terracotta figurines of young girls, marble reliefs showing the Arkteia ritual, jewellery, mirrors, and small carved animals (especially bears).

The collection gives a vivid picture of women's lives in ancient Athens -- their religious practices, their rites of passage, and the objects that mattered to them. This perspective is rare in Greek archaeology, which tends to focus on male-dominated civic and military life.

Allow 1-1.5 hours for the site and museum combined.

Practical Information

Entrance fee: 4 EUR (full), 2 EUR (reduced).

Opening hours: 08:30-15:30. Closed Tuesdays.

Free entry for EU citizens under 25.

How to Get There

By Car (40 minutes)

The most practical option. Take Mesogeion Avenue east towards the airport and Markopoulo, then follow signs to Vravrona. The last few kilometres are on a quiet country road through olive groves. Free parking at the site.

By Bus

No direct bus from central Athens. You'd need to take a bus to Markopoulo and then a taxi (about 8-10 EUR). Not the most convenient option.

By Taxi

About 30-35 EUR from central Athens. Ask the driver to wait or arrange a pickup time -- taxis don't pass through frequently.

Practical Tips

  • You'll likely have the site almost to yourself. Brauron gets a fraction of the visitors that other Attica sites receive. On a weekday, you might be the only person there.
  • The setting is lovely. The sanctuary sits in a green valley near a stream, surrounded by low hills. Very different from the exposed hilltop sites elsewhere in Attica.
  • The museum is the highlight. The votive offerings and figurines tell a story about ancient women's lives that you won't find at most Greek sites.
  • Mosquitoes can be an issue near the stream, especially in late afternoon. Bring repellent.
  • Combine with other eastern Attica stops. Brauron works as part of a day exploring the quieter east coast.

Combining With Other Stops

Marathon and Schinias Beach -- 20 km north. Battlefield, museum, then beach. A full day of eastern Attica.

Attica wineries -- Papagiannakos and Mylonas wineries are both in the Markopoulo/Keratea area, near Brauron.

Porto Rafti -- A small seaside town 5 km from Brauron. Good fish tavernas, calm bay for swimming.

Lavrio and Sounion -- Continue south along the coast to Lavrio (ancient silver mines, mineralogical museum) and Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon).

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March-May) -- The valley is green and full of wildflowers. The stream flows. Best season.

Autumn -- Pleasant temperatures, quiet.

Summer -- Hot but the valley has more shade than exposed hilltop sites. Combine with a swim at Porto Rafti.

Brauron is 38 km from central Athens, about 40 minutes by car. The site and museum take 1-1.5 hours to explore.