Private local tour of Ephyra

Board a unique guided experience, with the help your licensed tour guide will provide you with, who will lead you through this site as a priest would have back then, following the procession and walk through the rooms and the labyrinth, to the gate of the dead.

The most famous nekromanteion (or nekyomanteion), or oracle of the dead, of the ancient Greek world lies near the northwest shores of the Acherousian Lake, where Acheron and Kokytos, the rivers of Hades, meet. Ancient literary sources describe the Acherousian Lake as the place where the dead began their descent to Hades, and associate Ephyra, the Epirote city located further north, with the ancient cult of the god of death. The nekromanteion attracted people wishing to meet the souls of the dead, as these were able to foresee the future after having left their body.

The remains of the actual nekromanteion date from the Hellenistic period. These comprise the sanctuary's main building, erected in the early Hellenistic period (late fourth-early third century BC), and an annex of the late third century BC, which consisted of a central courtyard surrounded by rooms and warehouses. The sanctuary operated in this form continuously for approximately two centuries, but was burnt down and ceased to function after the Roman conquest of Macedonia in 167 BC. The sanctuary's courtyard was occupied once again in the first century, when Roman settlers arrived in the plain of Acheron. The convent of Agios Ioannis Prodromos and its cemetery were established over the ancient ruins in the early eighteenth century.

For this guided visit with a licensed tour guide you will need approximately 40 minutes and then you can stay as long as you like, to capture in your photos, the beautiful land escape and the unique ruins.

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About Us

It would be a pleasure to send you my proposals, through our travel agency, and organize your touring experience in Greece, just for you!

 15561, Agiou Ioannou Theologou 43, Athens

 27065, Praxitelous Kondyli, Ancient Olympia

+30 6972426085

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Whatsapp: +30 6972426085

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Niki was the official Olympia Expert in BBC live broadcasting to explain the significance of the lightning of the Olympic flame for the 2012 London Olympics

Client Testimonials

Niki's knowledge of the history there as well as how she related it to all of us was a perfect balance!
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Niki knows her stuff, and she comes across as an intelligent and credible source of verified information. My wife and I used her as our group tour guide in Olympia and then again in Athens, and we were very pleased.
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We all at Olympic Tours strictly follow the implementation of the measures and health protocol directives of the Greek government in order to contribute to control the spreading of Covid-19 and keep travelers safe.

Our staff has been briefed on the guidelines provided by the health authorities and follows all the procedures necessary to keep our guests safe when delivering our services.

Greece has many hidden gems to discover in the mainland, the Peloponnese, the islands of the Aegean and the Ionian Sea. The diversity of the natural beauty and the wide range of attractions offered when exploring the different aspects of the cultural and social environment can create a unique experience to meet with the various expectations travelers may have.

Customize your travel planning and create the experience of a lifetime when visiting Greece.

We would be happy to share with you the knowledge we have of our country and customize the travel planning for your next trip to Greece.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Greece soon.

Niki Vlachou