The sacred city of antiquity
The industrial city of the 20th century
The city of modern sustainable development

Eleusis, a town with a population of 30,000 located 20 km from Athens, is known for its ancient and modern industrial history.

In ancient times, for 2,000 years (1600 BC-400 AD), it was one of the five sacred cities, with the Eleusinian Mysteries attracting pilgrims from all over the known world.

The city's name became more famous thanks to the great tragic poet Aeschylus.

This was followed by 14 centuries during which Eleusis fell into obscurity.

In 1827, after liberation from Turkish occupation and the creation of the first Greek state, Eleusis was a small town of 250 inhabitants of Arvanitic origin.

In the 1860s, Eleusis began to change with the construction of new houses and the arrival of occasional traders.

Its slow progress was accelerated by the construction of the railway line (1884) and the cutting of the Isthmus of Corinth.

The 1880s were a decisive decade, when industrial development began.

The HARILAOU soap factory (1875), the TITAN cement industry (1902), and the VOTRYSS (1906) and KRONOS (1922) distilleries were established.

1877 The first approval of the "street plan of the town of Eleusis."

1914 The Port Fund is established.

In the 11th century BC, residents of Eleusis brought the worship of the goddess Demeter to the land of Ionia. In 1922, 2,000 refugees from Asia Minor arrived in Eleusis, doubling its population.

1923: First discussion in the Community Council on the installation of electric street lighting in streets and squares

1924: Clock installed on the hill of the Antiquities 1936: Creation of a military airport.

1943 The Community of Eleusis becomes a Municipality.

In April 1941, the German occupation begins. The airport is occupied by the Germans. Italian soldiers patrol the city. From October 1941, deaths from "starvation disease" begin.

During the German occupation (1941-1945), strong resistance develops within the city, in the factories, and at the military airport. The E.A.M. organization, which provided clothing, footwear, food, and information about enemy movements, offered valuable assistance to the people and to the armed guerrilla units. In August 1942, the first guerrilla group was organised in Dervenochoria, whose activities spread throughout Attica and Boeotia.

After World War II, workers from all over Greece came to our city to work in the local industries.

However, industrial activity developed chaotically on top of the antiquities and next to the residential area. Environmental pollution became widespread.

In the 21st century, the era of sustainable development, archaeological history and recent industrialisation shape the image of modern Eleusis. Thanks to the efforts of citizens, pollution has been reduced. The municipality is striving to reclaim the inactive factories, which will house the modern industrial and technological history.

Eleusis has now been awarded for its urban redevelopment and its achievements in ecology and recycling.

The AESCHYLIA, in honor of Aeschylus, has been the leading cultural event in Eleusis since 1975 and takes place in September, the same period when the Eleusinian Mysteries were held in ancient times.

The hill of antiquities and the Museum are located in the center of the city, while the Sacred Way that connected Eleusis with Athens crosses the city and its traces are still preserved today. The post-Byzantine churches of Agios Zacharias (in Heroes Square) and Panagitsa (in the archaeological site) are still standing.

Festivals are held on April 23 for the city's patron saint, Saint George, on May 21 (Saints Constantine and Helen), on June 29 (12 Apostles), and on April 16 for the Life-Giving Spring.