Lavrion Attractions

The metal-rich land of Lavrion was one of the main sources of income for the ancient city of Athens, contributing to its prosperity. The mines became operational again in 1864. At the same time the new city was built according to a clear system of planning with magnificent buildings. Neoclassical buildings of the steel company now belong to the municipality. In the industrial buildings are housed the Technological Cultural Center, the fish market designed by Ziller and the 1st elementary school, which are just some of the architectural masterpieces of the city.

Ancient Thorikos Theater

The Thorikos is the oldest surviving theater in Greece, built at the end of the 6th century BC.

It was built using the natural slope of Velaturi Hill, and it has 21 rows and seats up to 4,000 spectators. The uniqueness of the Thorikos Theater lies in its shape. It is oval, and the orchestra (the scene where the actors performed) is rectangular in shape, but not circular, as was the custom. The architectural complex of the theater includes the base of the altar and the ruins of a small temple dedicated to Dionysius.

Lavrion Archaeological Museum

The Lavrion Archaeological Museum at the entrance to the city was built in 1970 and was used as a depository of antiquities until 1999, when it was renovated and opened as a museum.

The exhibits are presented thematically and chronologically, depicting activities in the region from the prehistoric era to the 6th century B.C. The museum's collections include metal artifacts, sculpture, funerary gifts from the tomb of Foricos, as well as impressive relief plates with scenes of centauromachy (battles between lapiths and centaurs) and gigantomachy (battles between Olympian gods and giants), fragments of a frieze from the temple of Poseidon.

Lavrion Mineralogical Museum

The small guardhouse of the mines of Lavrion is a fine example of industrial architecture from 1873, designed by the German architect C.Luhrig.

It opened its doors in 1984 already as the Lavrion Mineralogical Museum. The collections of the museum show the natural riches of Lavreotica and the diversity and uniqueness of the fossils in the area. In the showcases of the museum 500 of the 1000 specimens are on display, in addition to exhibits of coins and objects related to the extraction and processing of metals.

Church of St. Nektarius

Saint Nektarius settled on Aegina in 1904 in order to found a monastery. A shrine was founded in 1973 after the saint's death to commemorate his work on the island.

Because of economic difficulties, its construction continued for a full 21 years. In essence, it consists of two separate temples, one above-ground and one below-ground, with a total area of 1200 square meters. The temple has two chapels and five baptisms, but especially impressive are its large dome and two bell towers.

Technological Culture Park in Lavrion

The technology park in Lavrio, located in the old premises of a French steel company, was created at the initiative of the National Metzovian University in order to organize and promote research and entrepreneurial activities.

The industrial complex was built gradually from 1875 to 1895 and included administrative buildings and workshops for processing and concentration of ore on an area of 25 hectares. Today, 8 hectares of territory and buildings have been restored, demonstrating the park as a unique monument of industrial archeology and architecture.