Brauron: The Great Sanctuary of Goddess Artemis

Brauron, one of ancient Attica’s twelve cities, is located by the sea near Athens’ modern airport. The ancient city was significant for the veneration of the goddess Artemis as it housed a temple for her and gave its name to the neighboring area of Artemida (Loutsa). Although it is a small town, the archaeological site has enormous historical and mythological significance.

Brauron Key Facts

Overview

Brauron was a significant sanctuary honoring Artemis, the goddess of hunting, nature, and the wilderness. A festival honoring Artemis Bauronia was also held here, most likely near the goddess’ temple. Various historical accounts provide information about the town’s religious importance. However, it was only inhabited for a few centuries, from the eighth to the third century BC. It is possible that the site was abandoned due to a flood and/or a dispute between Athenians and Macedonians. 

Let’s learn more about the small but important town of Attica.

Practical travel tips 

Getting There

Brauron is located less than 40 kilometers from Athens’ center, behind Mount Hymettus. It can be reached by car, bus, or metro to Markopoulo (near the airport), followed by a short taxi ride.

Accessibility

The small town of Brauron is not completely accessible, and portions of the archaeological site have uneven terrain.

Best Time to Visit

As with any open archaeological site in Greece, Brauron is best visited in the spring or autumn. However, it can be visited during the summer along with a trip to the nearest beach.

Duration of Visit

Visiting both the archaeological site and the museum takes no more than a couple of hours.

Budgeting

The entrance fees are completely reasonable (6 euros at the moment), and the towns of Brauron and Artemida are less expensive than Athens.

Local Amenities

The town has a few supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and a pharmacy. There are limited facilities on-site, so you can bring your own snacks.

Brauron in Greek Mythology

Brauron is closely linked to the goddess Artemis and Iphigeneia, the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra.

Iphigeneia and Artemis

Before the Trojan War, the Greek fleet gathered at Aulis. There, Agamemnon killed a deer that was sacred to the goddess Artemis. This enraged the goddess, who punished the Greeks by making the wind blow against Agamemnon’s fleet. Seer Calchas advised Agamemnon to sacrifice his own daughter, Iphigeneia. However, Artemis, to whom the sacrifice would be made, saves Iphigeneia from being sacrificed and makes her a high priestess among the Tauri who lived on the Crimean Peninsula.

Many years later, after Orestes has murdered his mother, Euripides’ Iphigeneia in Tauris depicts Iphigeneia reaching out to her brother and returning home. After her return, Athena instructs the siblings on how to appease Artemis. Orestes must build a temple near Halai (now Artemida / Loutsa) and install a wooden xoanon, a statue of Artemis Tauropolos. Iphigenia, on the other hand, should follow suit and become an Artemis priestess in a sanctuary in Brauron.

This account also explains the close connection between the Artemis sanctuary at Brauron and the Artemis Tauropolos temple in Artemida (Loutsa).

The Cult of Artemis and Arkteia

Another myth associated with Brauron is the origin of the Arkteia festival. According to one common story, the people of Brauron killed an Artemis sacred bear after it attacked a child. Artemis became enraged and caused a famine in Brauron. 

Because of this, the Athenians established the Arkteia festival. Little girls aged 5 to 10 would participate in the festival as little bears, known as arktoi. This festival was associated with Artemis’ role as a protector of childbirth, particularly among Athenians who wanted to thank the goddess for their successful childbirths. There were also many other theories as to why the little girls dressed as bears; it could be because they went through a period of “wildness” before puberty or to appease the generally wrathful goddess.

Brauron in Ancient Greek History

Brauron was founded around the 8th century BC, and the temple was built in the 6th century BC. Around the end of the 5th century BC, there was a surge in activity and building construction. This could be because Artemis was associated with disease and healing, and Athens was struck by a plague.

During these centuries, the Arkteia festival, as mentioned above, took place every four years. The festival began with a procession from another shrine of Artemis Brauronia, located on the Athenian Acropolis. Little girls dressed as bears performed sacred dances in saffron-colored robes. Pisistratus, the tyrant of Athens, was born in Brauron, so it is possible that he brought the Artemis cult to the Acropolis.

The town thrived until the end of the 3^rd century BC, when it was abandoned. This was the result of tensions between the Athenians and the Macedonians, possibly due to a flood in the area. In the second century, Pausanias makes only passing reference to the site. The site was further demolished by the construction of two Christian churches, one in the 6^th century AD using material from the sanctuary and one in the 15^th century AD on the remains of another small shrine.Theognostos, in the 9^th century AD, and the Suda lexicon, in the 10^th century BC, are the last records of this once-significant archaeological site.

Exploring the Location: Brauron

Brauron’s archaeological site is small and, unfortunately, not that well-maintained. It contains a temple for Artemis and a stoa, which is still in good condition, as well as various shrines and statues. 

Temple of Artemis Brauronia

The Temple of Artemis is the most important structure at the site. Unfortunately, it is badly kept. The Persians destroyed the temple during the Persian Wars of 480 BC. It was rebuilt a few decades later, in 420 BC, but the majority of its structural units have not survived. We can still see that it was built in the Doric Order.

Stoa in Π-Shape

The best-preserved structure at the site is the Π-shaped Doric stoa. It is designed around a central courtyard measuring 20×27 meters (5800 square feet). The stoa is built in the Doric order, with Doric friezes still visible. A large portion of the structure still stands and can be admired.

Stone Bridge and Sacred Spring

A Classical period bridge was built over the Erasinos River. It is still almost untouched, and it helped people move around during the festival. Sacred Spring is located near the stone bridge. This spring has been the center of religious activity since the Bronze Age. Dedications were thrown into the spring to appease the gods.

Small Shrine

A small shrine can be found slightly further away from the main buildings. While it is unclear what it was used for, it is associated with Iphigenia. It is possible that it served as a heroon for Iphigenia.

Museum and Statues

The visit to the archaeological site of Brauron is incomplete without a visit to the Archaeological Museum. It was renovated less than two decades ago and now houses a variety of exhibits, including the head of an Artemis statue and small marble statues of the arktoi, or little girls who took part in the festival.

Last Thoughts

Brauron is not the first place that comes to mind when thinking about Attica. It is often overlooked because it is a small town nestled between larger tourist destinations such as Loutsa and Porto Rafti. However, the archaeological site’s importance – even if it could be better maintained and restored – easily justifies a short day trip from Athens. If you combine it with a visit to one of Attica’s beautiful beaches or a lunch/dinner at a picturesque tavern, it will be well worth your time!

FAQs about Brauron

Featured Image Credit: VasiliosGavrilis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons