Telesterion

This is the most important building of the Sanctuary, as within it the ritual enactments of the Eleusinian Mysteries took place.

The architectural remains that, today, are visible, relate mainly to the Telesterion of the classical times (5^th cent. BC), which was planned by the architect of the Parthenon, Ictinos. His plan, due to construction difficulties but also to the death of Pericles, apparently was not executed to a great extent. Subsequently, the construction study was assigned successively until its completion, to three architects, Coroibos, Metagenes and Xenocles.

The classical Telesterion was a columned, almost square hall, its side measuring about 51,50m, with a pair of entrances on the east, north and south side. To the east side a colonnaded porch was attached with twelve Doric columns.

Eight rows of steps, cut out of rock, where that was available, or artificially constructed of stone blocks, were arranged along all four sides of the hall. From these seats the initiates attended the sacred enactments.

The roof of the building was supported by fourty-two columns. Over them a superimposed order of an equal number of ligher columns reached to the ceiling. In the center of the roof there was the «opaion», a kind of a raised lightwell that brought light to the interior of the building.

Approximately in the center of the hall there was the Anactoron (Holy of Holies), a rectangular space of small dimensions, into which the sacred cult objects were kept. To it only the highest priest, the Hierophant, was allowed entry, who in the night of the Mysteries, took out the ‘sacred objects’ and revealed them to the initiates. The throne of the Hierophant was situated outside the entrance of the Anactoron.

In all periods of its function, the worshippers gathered in the Sacred Court that extended along the east, north and south side of the Telesterion. There were set up altars and numerous dedications, and there the sacred rites were performed.

The oldest remains that came to light in the excavation at the site, are dated to the Mycenaean period and belong to a rectangular megaroid building, known as «Megaron Β», with two columns along the central axis and a portico with stairs on the façade.

At the same location in the early 6^th cent. BC was built the Solonian Telesterion that included a rectangular cella (main temple).

The growth of the reputation of the Sanctuary and the continuous increase of worhsippers in the second half of the 6^th cent. BC, necessitated the construction of a new building, always in the same location, due to the sanctity of the place, which, according to the myth, had been indicated by goddess Demeter. This building, known as the Telesterion of Peisistratus, was of large dimensions and neat decoration, features that were retained in its later phases, in the classical and Roman times.

The architectural remains that are today visible, relate mainly to the classical Telesterion (5^th cent. BC), the Portico of Philo (4^th cent. BC) and the Roman modifications (2^nd cent. AD).

 The Portico of Philo was attached to the east façade and its planning was undertaken by the Eleusinian architect Philo. It was founded on a strongly built substructure and its floor was paved with eleusinian limestone. It was of the Doric order with twelve columns on the façade and two on the narrow sides, of which only parts of the lower drums are preserved.

In 170 AD, the Telesterion was burnt down by the Cotsoboci, invaders of northern origin. In its reconstruction, in the years of emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD), the plan of the classical times was kept, with an extension of about two metres to the north.

In Roman times, moreover, two stairs were cut in the rock that led to an elongated square, 70m long and 11,45m wide (Upper Court), which was created by levelling the rock along the west side.

Temple of Sabina Portico of Philo