Artemida, Attica

Artemida Αρτέμιδα

Artemida
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°58′N 24°0′E / 37.967°N 24.000°E / 37.967; 24.000Coordinates: 37°58′N 24°0′E / 37.967°N 24.000°E / 37.967; 24.000
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Attica
Regional unit	East Attica
Municipality	Spata-Artemida
• Municipal unit	18.653 km² (7.202 sq mi)
Highest elevation	204 m (669 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population (2011)^[1]
• Municipal unit	21,488
• Municipal unit density	1,200/km² (3,000/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	190 16
Area code(s)	22940
Vehicle registration	Z, I

Artemida (Greek: Αρτέμιδα, older name Loutsa, Greek: Λούτσα) is a seaside resort town in East Attica, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Spata-Artemida, of which it is a municipal unit.^[2]

History

The city was named after the ancient goddess Artemis. The Temple of Artemis Brauron was among the most important sacred sites in the ancient times. Vravrona (or Brauron), about 20 km from Athens, was one of the 12 towns of Attica that was united to Athens by Theseus.
The ancient temple of Artemis is of Doric style and flourished in the 5th-4th century B.C. According to a myth, this is the temple where Iphigeneia was brought by her brother Orestes, when they met in the land of Tauris, where she served as a priestess in a local temple of Artemis. Iphigeneia had been transferred to Tauris by goddess Artemis herself, when she saved her from the sacrifice in Aulis. Returning to Greece, Iphigeneia brought with her a wooden statue of Artemis from Tauris.^[3]

Geography

Artemida is located on the Aegean Sea coast, in the eastern part of the Attica peninsula. It lies 5 km south of Rafina, 8 km east of Spata, 9 km north of Porto Rafti and 25 km east of Athens city centre. Greek National Road 85 (Rafina - Lavrio) passes through the town.