Best Mythological Destinations in Greece
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Greek mythology is filled with some fascinating stories. Although we look at them as legends and interesting tales today, at the time, they were actually considered to be part of the religious practices of the Ancient Greeks. Not only that, but there are some sites here that directly relate to some of the stories.
While in Greece, you will want to visit some of these top mythological destinations:
Delos
Delos is an enchanting place that you won’t want to miss. The island is uninhabited, but there are sites to see here that are worth a visit. The Archaeological Site here is legendary, and there are also some wonderful beaches to explore. In the Greek mythos and legends, Delos is the island where the twins, Apollo and Artemis, were born. They were the children of Zeus, the King of the Gods, and Leto, his lover.
Crete
Home of several legendary Greek mythological sites, this island is one that enthusiasts won’t want to miss. The Palace of the Knossos is located here. This is the site where the legend of the Minotaur was told. Be sure to visit the Minotaur’s Labyrinth while here! You can also seek out the Cave of Zeus here. This is the fabled location where Zeus was born and raised, in order to hide him from his father, Cronus. Once he came of age, he confronted his father, freed his siblings, and became the King of the Gods.
Epirus
Home of the fabled Archeron River, Epirus is a must-see for those who love Greek mythology! Located near Parga, this river was referred to as the “River of Woe” because the river was said to lead to Hades. This is where the souls of those who passed away in Ancient Greece were said to have traveled in order to enter the Underworld.
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus is the highest peak in Greece, and it is a familiar fixture in the country’s landscape. It was also the fabled home of the Greek gods and goddesses! After Zeus and his siblings defeated Cronus and the rest of the Titans, the new rulers moved to this mountaintop to watch over the Greek people. Today, there is no evidence that the gods and goddesses lived here, but it makes for a wonderful place to hike!
Milos
Few islands are as enchanting as Milos. Filled with wonderful sites to see, as well as glorious beaches, there is a mystical quality to the whole place. It was also the fabled birthplace of the Aphrodite, the goddess of love. As the story goes, she was born directly from the foamy waters surrounding the island.
Delphi
Many of the Greek myths and legends include a visit to the Oracle of Delphi. Did you know that this is actually a real place? In Ancient Greece, people would regularly pilgrimage to the oracle to gain wisdom. The same is true of the characters in some of the stories.
Santorini
The very appearance of the island of Santorini suggests that it is possibly a mythical place. The island is shaped like a the letter u, and there is evidence of a catastrophic volcanic eruption taking place here. In fact, the island is shaped the way it is because the eruption caused part of the island to sink to the bottom of the sea. One of the theories is that this is the real location of the mythical Kingdom of Atlantis.
Greece is filled with history, and it is also the home of some of the favorite stories found in history. You won’t want to miss the chance to visit these sites while here.
Categorized in: Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
