Cape Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon
Visiting archaic grecian ruins has always been on my bucket list, so standing in front of Poseidon's Temple contemplating more than 3000 years of human endeavor, religious practices, and ritual was a dream come true! Poseidon's Temple sits atop the tip of Cape Sounio, just a couple of hours drive from Athens along the Saronic Gulf coast. Cape Sounio provides a panoramic view of the sparkling aqua-marine blues and greens of the Aegean Sea, from Kea to Peloponnese. The temple was built in 44 B.C., with Doric (plain) columns. Because of the salty sea air and high winds, the ruins continue to erode. To restore ruins while simultaneously preserving authenticity, 70% of the structure needs to remain (otherwise, the "restoration" is actually a "reproduction"). Poseidon's Temple is beyond restoration, so I felt privileged to imagine its former glory and consider its legacy.
