...or let's say neglected ones since nothing is hidden in the internet world anymore. However, only a few years ago no substantial info could be found about this one.
Mid May, before the first hot days arrive I decide to start exploring the area of my target under conditions that allow you to also enjoy the beauty around without too much sweat. Not that sweat necessarily kills the joy as you adults (or not so adults) know but better without it. I'm speaking about the area around Lavrio, the first city outside Athens to be connected by train with the capital of Greece in 1885. I was always attracted by this deserted railway who hasn't seen any train since the 60s as the bus owners managed to undermine the competitive train. Here's some of the few meters left of them at a tiny bridge North of Lavrio that the local humour has baptised "Suez":
After walking on this trail for a few meters there's no more steel - just the blocks of this 136 years old wood:
Not the first or the last case of greedy people against history. My target though has a lot to do with history but nothing to do with trains: I'm looking for a Dorian temple 5th BC dedicated to Dimitra, goddess of fertility. Googling hasn't provided me anything specific about the location and even locals were not much more helpful as they know there is something like this around but don't share the same interest as I do. Funny as it sounds, the most important document I managed to collect in my quest was a rough (and that's a euphemism) drawing of the location from a wannabe guru at a local tavern. Think of a preschool kid drawing blindfolded and you get the picture.
The lack of info resulted in a day walking around that brought no fruits so next day I revisit the area aiming to ask the guard of the local ancient site this time. I skip commenting the fact that she was nowhere to be found while her salary is always waiting for her at the end of each month,I park my bike and start walking around the train line again. This time I start seeing pieces of marble randomly in the fields:
I leave the train line, walk down the slope vertical to the line and follow the pieces with a feeling that they will lead me to something interesting if not what I am really looking for. The marble pieces become more frequent on the way:
As I climb to the top of a mound for an overview I notice a small gap at the reeds of a local stream parallel to the train line and bits of marble on the other side:
I reach that gap and then it becomes obvious that there's gotta be something this gross block of cement surrounded by marble pieces:
Before I climb up I see ancient pieces thrown in the stream:
I step on that ancient marble item,
and I find myself at a field with emotions hard to describe. Literally in the middle of nowhere, neglected and fenceless lies the Temple of Dimitra or let's better say what is left of it after centuries of looting:
My eyes get wet instantly as I hug these huge marble columns. The latter are half sculptured which is a sign of an unfinished temple. However, it is obvious there's a huge part of it missing and there's even drawings of the 17th century about this looting showing people dragging pieces to the sea where ships would take them as cargo away. This deserted historic beauty offers rare intense feelings that kept me revisiting it on every given chance.
P.S.1: One soul left this world here:
P.S.2: Bike didn't complain for waiting - sunbathing with a view wasn't that bad:
