Cape Sunium is the most southerly extremity of Attica. On the cliff that towers out of the sea there, the Athenians workshipped Poseidon and Athena even as far as the Geometric period. The first temple of Poseidon was built in the late sixth century BC, and was destroyed by the Persians in 480. in its place, Pericles ordered the construction (444-440 BC) of a marble peripteral temple in the Doric order, ornamented with friezes showing scenes from the Battle of the Centaurs, the Battle of the Giants and the feats of Theseus. The temple of Athena was built in the Archaic period, in the form of a simple cella with four Ionic columns in its interior. In 460-450 BC, Ionic colonnades were added to the east and west facades. In 412 BC, the sanctuaries at Sunium were fortified and the wall extended right round the temple of Poseidon. This became one of the most important fortressesin Attica, and had a permanent garrison. Bastions and ship-sheds were added in the third century BC.
Today, Sunium is one of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece. Apart from its historical interest, there is a superb view over the Aegean, and the sunset can often be unforgettable.