The Ministry of Culture is embarking on a new lighting endeavor aimed at illuminating the historic Temple of Poseidon in Sounion. Their objective is to accentuate the monument and its immediate surroundings without altering its inherent character, while ensuring its volume and geometry are perceptible from all angles.
Perched at the tip of the Sounio Peninsula in southern Attica, the Temple of Poseidon stands within a fortress safeguarding the Attic coastline. Crafted entirely from white marble in the 5th century BC, it stands as a tribute to Poseidon, the god of the sea.
Entrance to the Cape Sounion fortress was historically through a gate accessible from the harbor, located in the northwest section of the wall. At the pinnacle of the fortress lies the sanctuary of Poseidon, delineated by a constructed enclosure.
The planned illumination enhancement project for the sanctuary will unfold in two phases. Phase A encompasses the temple itself, positioned in the southern and northwest sections of the sanctuary, along with the grand and smaller colonnades. Phase B extends to the fortress walls on the north and east sides, as well as the remnants of the settlement, characterized by a central road ascending from west to east and a newly constructed building.
The Doric-style Temple of Poseidon, positioned at the brink of the Saronic Gulf, is a prominent landmark and a key tourist attraction, visible from various maritime perspectives. The new lighting scheme aims to accentuate the monument’s form, texture, and spatial dimensions from every conceivable viewpoint, while also mitigating light pollution. Moreover, the lighting fixtures will prioritize environmental sustainability, delivering notable energy efficiencies.
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni emphasized, “As part of our commitment to enhancing cultural offerings, the Ministry of Culture is dedicated to delivering an upgraded archaeological site at Sounion to both Greek and international visitors, ensuring it is fully functional, visually appealing, and easily accessible. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mytilineos and its President and CEO Evangelos Mytilineos for their generous sponsorship of this project’s study and implementation.”
