Malangavi Promontory, Perahora, The Ruins of the Sanctuary of Hera
After 20 minutes of easy driving from Loutraki towads the promontory of Malangavi, past Vouliagmeni Lake and around a tiny cove at the furthest point of the Perachora peninsula, there is the shrine of Hera Acraea. This itinerary, through the serene and everchanging Perachora countryside, is a magnificent excursion, and would be strongly recommended even if the archaeological site never existed! This location is also known today as Cape Melangavi but also has gone by the name of Peiraion, Peraia, Heraion, Ireon (or even Hereon or Iraeon, with or without the final n), Akraea, and Akraia. The sanctuary was probably a possession of Megara in its earliest days but, later, it came under the control of Corinth. The archaeological site here seems divided into two separate sections, an appearance which, combined with various sources referring to the Sanctuary under two different names, Hera Limenia (of the port) and Hera Acraea (of the promontory) misled scientists to believe that there were actually two sanctuaries. It is here, according to the myth, that Medea, leaving Corinth, buried her two children she had slaughtered while fleeing her father's fleet, following Jason and the Argonauts.
The archaeological site roughly covers an area of 245 m (735 ft) by 45 m (135 ft); As shown in out photos, it embraces a small cove and goes uphill on a ridge. Please enjoy!
(Photos: Michael Tziotis)
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The Archaeological siteMore photos of the Archaeological Site are to be added soon. Please do come back!
Heraion, Perachora: Upper level of the Archaeological Site (NE) |
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Heraion, Perachora: Lower level of the Archaeological Site (Middle) |
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Heraion, Perachora: Lower level of the Archaeological Site (SW) |
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