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Destination's Group: Attica Region
Lavrion Yacht Charter Guide
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📜 Lavrion Brief History & Info
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Everywhere you look in Lavrio, it’s as if you’re in an open-air museum, with relics of the town’s mining heritage. Lavrio is an iconic landmark in the Attica area, boasting an ISO 9001:2000 yacht marina with a blue flag, the third biggest port in Attica, from which numerous ships sail for the Cyclades and the islands of the eastern Aegean, and just a few minutes away from the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion.
Visit the old French ore loader in the port, the Hellenic Metallurgical Company’s clock tower, the factory of the French Company that now houses the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park, the beautiful neoclassical buildings scattered throughout the town’s narrow streets, mostly built by mining companies, and the first working-class houses in the Kyprianos district.
Lavrio’s history begins many years ago, approximately 3,000 BC, when the ancient Greeks began mining the area’s silver and lead ores. Their work halted in the 2nd century BC and was restarted many centuries later, in 1864, with the establishment of the business “Roux – Serpieri – Fressynet C.E.” by the Italian Gianbatista Serpieri at the request of the metallurgist Andreas Kordellas. The Lavrion Metallurgical Company, together with the Serpieri Company, began to develop the town of Lavrio around 1869. For the mining employees, the companies erected stores, schools, and housing. Lavrio’s industrial history comes to an end in 1977 as a result of the country’s de-industrialization. The facilities were closed in 1989.
Lavrio, along with Piraeus and Rafina, is one of Attica’s three ports. Every day, several ships sail from here for the Cyclades islands, the northeastern Aegean, and Kavala. Furthermore, the town’s harbor can handle a variety of vessels, and various yacht rental firms operate in the region since Lavrion is a great starting place for maritime expeditions.
Explore Lavrio on foot and marvel at the many magnificent neoclassical buildings, such as the first primary school, built in 1901, the old Town Hall in the main square, the two-story building that originally operated as a hotel called “Agglia” (England), as well as the new one, housed in an 1864 building that was the former residence of the director of “Roux – Serpieri – Fressynet C.E.” Stop by the Archaeological Museum, a typical example of 1970s architecture that houses exhibits from the area’s mining and metallurgical activity during antiquity, as well as vessels, tools, and stone jewelry from the Kitsos cave, funeral gifts from Thorikos and the surrounding area of Sounion, and so on.
The modest Mineralogical Museum of Lavrion and its distinctive mineral collection are just a few streets away, situated in a lovely 1873 structure that originally belonged to the industrial complex of the Hellenic Company’s ore washeries. The complex of the French Company, located at the town’s entrance (on the side of Mesogeia), is an exceptional example of industrial architecture from the era, and now contains the Lavrio Technological and Cultural Park. You may also visit the Handicraft-Industrial-Educational Museum, where you can participate in the program Memories of the Historical French Mining Company of Lavrio and enjoy a tour of the (outdoor) Park’s facilities upon request. Kyprianos, a 19th-century neighborhood erected by the French Firm for the lodging of their employees, as well as the Palm Tree Forest just in front of it, were both developed by the same company.
The surrounding neighborhood is also highly intriguing, so don’t limit yourself to Lavrio’s center. You may see the Thorikos archaeological site on Velatouri Hill, which is located a little outside of town. It is one of Attica’s earliest villages, and it was a metalworking center in the 5th and 4th centuries BC. The acropolis remains at the summit of the hill, including Neolithic to Middle Helladic finds and five vaulted chamber tombs from the Late Helladic (Mycenaean) era (1600-1100 BC). The neighborhood also has the ancient Thorikos theatre, which is said to be Greece’s oldest. It was built towards the end of the sixth century BC and is especially notable for its unusual ellipsoidal shape.
It is worthwhile to see the ore washeries and historic mines of Lavrio (the site can be visited upon consultation with the Archaeological Museum of Lavrion). The Mineralogical Museum of Kamariza is located near the hamlet of Agios Konstantinos, as is the 165-meter-deep Serpieri mine, which was developed in 1880 by the French Mining Company of Lavrion. The lifting tower and the ruins of the facilities may still be seen on the site, although both the site and the museum are currently closed owing to restoration work.
If the weather permits, you may also go swimming in one of Lavreotiki’s numerous beautiful beaches, such as Punta Zeza, Poseidonia, Asimaki, Thorikos, Agia Marina, and many more. A stop at one of the local bars for freshly grilled or fried fish against the backdrop of the traditional marble slabs on which fisherman sell their products is a must. Attica is a secure and appealing multifunctional destination that offers guests unique experiences all year, and Lavrio is one of the region’s well-kept secrets. Summer or winter, Lavreotiki is a fantastic place full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.
🏖️ Lavrion Best Beaches
Lavreotiki is surrounded by gorgeous beaches and lovely bays that give you the impression that you are on an island near Athens; it is a popular summer escape for many.
Hop on a luxury crewed yacht & enjoy the summer! Do you have a sailing license? Rent one of our bareboat yachts & explore at your own pace. Skippered yachts are also available if you prefer an intermediate solution.
🔹 From Lavrio to Charakas
Punta Zeza Beach
Beach with sand, shielded from the north, accessible for families, shade trees, and, lastly, a parking lot. There is a children’s camp called “Xeniasto melisi” there.
Port of Pasa (Posidonia) Beach
Beach with sand, not smooth, windy, accessible for families, and shade trees; there is a soccer field and basket, and parking is available on both sides of the beach.
Asimaki Beach
Sand beach, shielded from the north, suitable for families, with a bar, a restaurant, handy parking, and plenty of accommodation.
Vamvakousis
There is not enough parking and a dirt road roughly 500m from the main road to the Vamvakoussi bakery where you may get your coffee and cheese pie and stroll down the dirt road to the beach.
Sounio beach
There are little beaches below the Temple of Poseidon, however, they are difficult to access. The beach of Sounio has beautiful sand, is shielded from the north, and is suitable for families. There are umbrellas for sunbeds (rented), parking, and two very charming restaurants with excellent cuisine and service. After your wash, visit the bars for some ouzo.
Beach of Legrena
There are little bays between Sounion and Legaries, although they are not easily accessible; in Legrena, there is a beach with a small chalice suitable to families, with the Nautical Club in the center. Finally, you will find various facilities in the settlement.
🔹 From Lavrio to Kaki Thalassa (Keratea)
Nisaki
A little beach with black stones immediately after the new harbor where ships depart is shielded from the south.
Oxygono
The following tiny beach with chalk is shielded from the north and is popular with winter swimmers.
Thoriko
There is lots of parking beneath the old theater for anyone who wishes to combine a visit to the archaeological site with a swim.
Agia Marina (Delenia)
A little sandy beach with pebbles that is shielded from the north and south winds.
Tsonima
A little beach with stones and sand on the route to Vromopousi, with parking on the road.
Kalopigado (Vromopousi)
Sandy and gravel beach, shielded from the north in some areas, accessible to families, has umbrellas and sun loungers, as well as canteens and restaurants, and enough parking on the harbor side.
Beaches of Porto Enia (9) & Viethi
Two small picturesque coves with sand and pebble that usually grasp the north wind.
Limanakia Daskaliou
There are four ports (Vindi, Venios, Olives, and Agia Marina) that are accessible by sand and pebble, some of which have running canteens and bars and generally capture the north wind.
Beach of Kaki Thalassa
It is a well-organized beach (toilets, café-food, loungers) with a combination of pebbles and sand; it is not very huge; there is parking nearby; and there are bars, cinemas, and sporting facilities. The north winds have an impact on it.
🗺️ Discover Lavrio
Sounion
The derivation of the term, which is possibly the earliest of the Lavreotiki, is disputed among archaeologists; some suggest that the word Sounio derives from the verb save (sozo=to maintain, secure, retain), and might relate to the entire region or just the Cape. Later variations of the name confirm the origin of “sounos,” which meant “silver” in ancient Greek (or, more correctly, the area with the silver-rich subsoil). In Ancient times, the appellation “Souniefs” (Sounio residents) was linked with riches. Even now, though, the land is exceedingly pricey.
The Aegean Sea was named after Aegeus, King of Athens, who plunged to his death from the cliff near Cape Sounion. According to legend, Aegeus was nervously staring out from Sounion when he noticed a black sail on his son Theseus’ ship coming from the island of Crete. This led him to assume that his son had been killed in his fight with the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature.
On the Cape, two ancient temples were constructed: the great Poseidon temple and a lesser Athena temple. The surviving Poseidon temple is Doric in style and was erected during the Pericles era, from 444 to 440 B.C.
It was built with white marble from the Agrileza district. It was erected on the site of an ancient limestone temple. The former temple, which dates from the early fifth century, was destroyed by the Persians before it could be completed in 480 B.C. The Lavrio Archaeological Museum houses architectural remnants of the Temple of Poseidon.
The Ionic temple of Athena, erected before the commencement of the Peloponnesian War, was located at the lowest point of the hill to the east (in about 431 B.C.). When the temple was abandoned in the first century A.D., certain elements of it were taken to Athens to embellish other temples. Other deities revered in the Sounio region, in addition to Poseidon and Athena, included the goddess Artemis, guardian of minerals, Demeter, Cybele, Hermes, the demigod Hercules, and others.
Ancient Ore Washery
There are historic ore washeries scattered throughout the Sounio National Park. Archaeologists uncovered the greatest complex of ancient washeries in the valley of Souriza, which has been partially recovered (some of the washeries can be visited). Corresponding bands have also been found in Megala Pefka, Agrileza, Bertseko, Dimolaki, and Synterina. It is worth a visit to see the ancient Athenians’ ingenuity and advanced technology in their endeavor to harvest valuable metals (silver, lead) from this soil.
Kamariza – Agios Konstantinos
The community you come through on the way from Lavrio to Anavissos is a former mining settlement in an area with a very favorable climate and diverse flora, just near the Sounio National Park. Close to the Serpieri’s shaft lies the Mineralogical Museum, as well as the churches of Agios Nektarios, the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Catholic), Agios Konstantinos, and Agia Eleni. Beginning the path to Sounio via the park, you will notice the “chaos,” a geological phenomenon, landslide, where a green recreation spot with excellent views of the town of Lavrio is located. Many mining infrastructures, such as vent wells, may be seen along the route, dating from antiquity to the current period (which wants particular attention). In addition, you will pass the church of Agia Triada, the ancient ore washeries, and Agia Barbara, as well as the church of Agia Paraskevi, shortly before reaching the main road of Sounio.
Thorikos
It’s at the town’s northeast corner. The hill Velatouri, where the historic theater sits, may be seen on the way from Lavrio to the power plant facilities (DEI). The Thorikos is one of Attica’s ancient villages; allusions to the location may be found in legendary literature. The acropolis remains at the top, including chamber tombs and a trace facility dating from the Neolithic to the Early Helladic and Middle Helladic periods. The theater, which is notable for its unusual oval shape, was established in the late 6th century B.C. as a natural hillside amphitheater and was later expanded in the mid-4th century. About the theater, there were residences, workshops, galleries, and a cemetery that were all built around the same period. The reconstructed antique ore washery and gallery entrances are located next to the theater (closed). The “temple of Dimitra and daughter” is a massive marble surviving Doric construction shaped double portico from the 5th century B.C.
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