Hermione

Modern Hermione, located a short distance from the antique town, is currently a charming little town on a headland that separates two very good bays. These bays have given the ancient city its former weight. In the park higher up, the foundations of a temple are visible, from Athena or from Poseidon. In addition, (meager) remains of the theater have been preserved and 2 large necropolis, which, among other things, prove that Hermione was already inhabited in the Mycenaean period. The city was a member of the Kalaurische Bond. The most important deity of the city was the goddess Demeter, whose main cult was for Demeter Chthonia, with a shrine on Mount Pron, just outside the walls, and a procession as the height of city life.
The shrine for Demeter Thermasia (the thermesion) lives on in the name of the village of Thermesia, the medieval fortress of thermisi and the promontory where it stands. This fortress was conquered by the Turks in 1537 and changed masters several times in the 17th and 18th centuries. The cult name Thermesia refers to the torches that often depicted Demeter. They would serve to provide the grain with the necessary warmth in winter and spring. The fort was unfortunately not accessible in February 2011.

 

Photos above, the modern town of Hermione and (right) the headland on which the foundations of the temple of Athena or Poseidon and some remains of the wall of this headland. Below: the foundations of the temple and (from afar) the fortress of Thermisi (click to enlarge).