Demeter Sanctury at Priene

Demeter Sanctuary above Priene

The Eleusinian Mysteries (Greek: Ἐλευσίνια Μυστήρια, romanized: Eleusínia Mystḗria) were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Eleusis in ancient Greece.

Reconstruction of Priene: A truely Hellenic City

Illustration by Rocío Espin.

The remains of the Athena Temple

The Temple of Athena Polias at Priene is a temple of the Ionic Order located within the sacred complex, northwest of the agora of Priene. It was dedicated to Athena Polias, the patron deity of Athens, and was the main temple of Priene, although there was also a temple of Zeus. Built around 350 BC, the temple was sponsored by Alexander the Great

Set in nature is the perfect place to attune to Demeter and her child.

A sanctuary that offers deep and lasting healing of the inner child.

The charming & elegant theatre of Preine

Egyptian Gods were venerated at Priene

A sanctuary was built for the cults of the Egyptian Goddess Isis
and the Egyptian Gods Serapis, Anubis and Harpocrates.

Priene from Above

The stones will whisper to you...

And share with you tales of ancient mysteries...

Demeter Sanctuary above Priene

Clay Votive Offerings from the Sanctuary of Demeter in Priene, Greek Gallery, Altes Museum, Berlin, Germany

Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore

Priene, Ionia, Turkey

350 BCE

The Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone was built with the foundation of Priene and dedicated to Demeter who is the goddess of fertility and her daughter Persephone. It is situated on the terrace, just below the steep slopes of Acropolis. It covers an area 45.5 meters long and 17.75 meters wide, lies on an east-west axis with the entrance on the east side.

The temple has a different form from the peripheral temple. Two statues of priestesses stood in front of the entrance door; one of the statues, a bronze one represented the priestess Timonassa, and the other, a marble statue of the priestess Nikesso which are today display in Pergamum Museum in Berlin. They were the head priestess of Demeter and Kore. On the south of the entrance, there are simple houses located which were used by temple personnel and the priestess to live.

Against the rear (west) wall of the temenos stands the temple building, of unusual form: behind the east-facing pronaos is a cella which is wider than it is long, and which narrows towards the south. Two small rooms open off the cella to the north. The pronaos does not extend for the entire length of the cella, nor is the cella door centered between the columns of the pronaos, which were are Doric, unfluted, and in antis. A door leads from the pronaos to the sacrificial pit in the south.

Blood from the animals offered to the goddess was gathered at the sacrificial hole where was outside the temple between the narrower south side of the sacred road and the vestibule. The Demeter figurine was found among the votive offerings was represented with a corn sheaf in her hand. It can also be seen on early Prienean coins.

Construction of the sanctuary began sometime in the late fourth century BCE Some features of the sanctuary are of Roman date and attest to the continuity of use: the altar near the entrance is Roman, and later walls of uncertain purpose were built within the temenos.