Brauron: The Ancient City of Attica

Brauron (Vravrona) is an ancient sanctuary site of Greece on the Aegean coast, about 35 km from Athens. Vravrona was one of the 12 ancient cities of Attica.

Panosinkent, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Brauron: The Sacred Place of Artemis

Brauron especially worshipped the Greek goddess Artemis as goddess of vegetation and hunting, and also as protector of childbirth. Her temple is the main attraction of Vravrona and was partially excavated in 1948. It is now exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Vravrona. Another attraction of Vravrona is the temple of Iphigeneia, the priestess of Artemis, The Great Huntress, who died and was buried there.

The Brauronia Festival

Brauron was also popular because of a festival of “Brauronia” in honour of Artemis. The Brauronia festival was held every four years and traditionally, young Attic girls at the age of 10 were dressed as bears and dedicated objects and games to the goddess Artemis. The goddess accompanied the girls in their transition from childhood to adolescence and prepared them for their main role in society.

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

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Evangelia

Evangelia Hatzitsinidou is the creator and author of www.greek-gods.info which has been merged with Olympioi.com. She has been writing about Greek Mythology for almost twenty years. A native to Greece, she teaches and lives just outside Athens.