The Temple of Poseidon will be illuminated today, Monday, September 16, 2024, at 7:30 PM, as part of the grand inauguration of its new lighting system. Standing tall on the windswept cliffs of Cape Sounion, the Temple of Poseidon has been a timeless sentinel over the Aegean Sea for nearly 2,500 years. Revered as a sacred site dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea, the temple’s majestic columns offer not just a glimpse into ancient Greece, but also one of the most awe-inspiring views in the country. The temple is both a cultural treasure and a landmark that draws visitors from across the globe.
As part of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture undertook an important initiative to light up this ancient sanctuary, enhancing the visual experience for visitors. However, 20 years later, technological advancements called for an upgrade. The current lighting system had become outdated and worn by time. Thanks to the generous support of METLEN Energy & Metals and its president, Evangelos Mytilineos, the ministry has revitalized the temple’s lighting, reaffirming their commitment to the preservation and promotion of Greece’s cultural heritage.
Today, Monday, September 16, 2024, at 7:30 PM, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, alongside Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and distinguished guests from Greece and abroad, will inaugurate the new lighting of the Temple of Poseidon. This project, overseen by renowned lighting designer Eleftheria Deko, promises to elevate the monument’s archaeological and architectural significance with its carefully planned illumination. The lighting system has been designed to avoid any disruption to visitors’ experience during the day, ensuring that all installations blend seamlessly into the archaeological site. Cables, fixtures, and installations were placed thoughtfully to preserve the site’s integrity.
The celebration will conclude with a concert by the acclaimed Greek composer Stavros Xarchakos, featuring musical performances that pay tribute to Greece’s cultural heritage. The concert will include artists like Dimitris Basis, Iro Saia, and Zacharias Karounis, accompanied by a large choir and orchestra of strings and wind instruments, led by Stavros Xarchakos himself.
The illumination event will be broadcast globally, with numerous museums, universities, cultural centers, and news agencies from around the world covering the event live. In Greece, it will be shown on ERT and via the following link: A Journey to the Light – YouTube.
Source: Information provided by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
