Engkoilon Chaos, or Kitsos’ Chaos, or simply Chaos — the largest heart of Greece.
Its depth reaches about sixty meters, and its diameter about one hundred and fifty.
The feeling it gives you, however, is surreal — like something out of a movie, as if you were on a distant planet on a space mission with Star Trek…
It is rumored that a small meteorite fell in the area long ago, or that the phenomenon was caused by the collapse of the ground due to the many tunnels of the old Lavrio mines, or even by the collapse of the roof of a massive cave two million years ago, as geologists suggest.
Ο Εθνικός Δρυμός Σουνίου
The Sounion National Park, located in the wider area of Lavreotiki, is the smallest national park in Greece. After suffering greatly from wildfires, it has come back to life once again. It now awaits visitors for a beautiful walk through nature and history — a history that stretches deep back to the 5th century BC, in the era of ancient Athens.
You can easily reach it from Athens via the Attiki Odos highway toward Lavrio.
Or even better, by taking the “Côte d’Azur” of Attica — the coastal road to Sounion!
There, after admiring the Temple of Poseidon, head up toward Agios Konstantinos — the old Kamariza — perched high on the hill of Lavreotiki, overlooking Lavrio and the Aegean Sea.
Upon reaching the first houses in Agios Konstantinos (Kamariza), you will see a sign on the left leading toward the football field, Engkoilon Chaos, and Agia Triada — the small chapel at the heart of the national park.
First stop at Egkilon Chaos, the largest heart of Greece, just after the football field on your left.
Start your walk around the abyss.
Explore it with your camera, stop to admire the different colors of the rocks…
You are in the oldest and richest mining area of Greece and of all of Europe.
The silver mines of the area gave the city of Athens its unique power in the 4th century BC, the classical period, so that Athens became a hegemonic power.
In more recent years, they gave work to many people from all over Greece and Europe during the difficult years.
The mines were finally closed in the early 70s and left us with a wonderful museum landscape that can be visited.
The walk in the Lavrio forest among wild olive trees, pine trees, holly trees, and the magnificent view will delight you.
Egoilon Haos
There are remnants of the mining era throughout the area.
Wander among the mining caves and the ruined dwellings in the tunnels and be transported back in time…
When miners with lamps, picks and chisels, extracted the precious ore of silver and lead from the bowels of the earth with great effort.
Hundreds of tunnels of many kilometers are hidden beneath your feet.
The tour requires great caution.
Do not enter holes and tunnels and stay away from the mining wells!
Here you were in the remnants of another era, you were in a very small part of the ancient medals of Lavreotiki.
In the wider area, you will also find the influence that the French companies had on the area.
The characteristic Phoenicians are in the forefront but also the old buildings that are still preserved.
The walk continues to the small chapel of Agia Triada. There you can have the best picnic in nature sitting on one of the scattered wooden tables.
And if picnics are not your best, a visit to the few taverns of Kamariza.
Discover in Lavrio Rerras tavern, the old classic tavern, behind the fish market. You will be enchanted by its simple flavors and especially its fried squid!
Of course, the Lavreotiki region has many important places to visit.
The main ones are the ancient theater of Thorikos and of course the temple of Poseidon in Sounio.
The adventure, in the unexplored Greece of nature, history and taste continues…
Text and photos by GiorgioGrigor
main photo Alexandros Lazaridis
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Watch the video we made for you. Get a more complete view of this wonderful monument, still unknown to many.
