Elefsina

Elefsina
Ελευσίνα
View over the excavation site towards Elefsina.
View over the excavation site towards Elefsina.
Elefsina is located in Greece
Elefsina
Elefsina
Location within the region
Coordinates: 38°2′N 23°32′E / 38.033°N 23.533°E / 38.033; 23.533
CountryGreece
Administrative regionAttica
Regional unitWest Attica
Government
 • MayorGeorgios Georgopoulos[1] (since 2023)
Area
 • Municipality
36.589 km2 (14.127 sq mi)
 • Municipal unit18.455 km2 (7.126 sq mi)
Elevation
5 m (16 ft)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Municipality
30,147
 • Density820/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
 • Municipal unit
24,971
 • Municipal unit density1,400/km2 (3,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
192 00
Area code(s)210
Vehicle registrationYP, YT
Websiteelefsina.gr
Plan of ancient Eleusis

Elefsina (Greek: Ελευσίνα, romanizedElefsína) or Eleusis (/ɪˈljsɪs/ ih-LEW-siss;[3] Ancient Greek: Ἐλευσίς, romanizedEleusís) is a suburban city and municipality in Athens metropolitan area. It belongs to West Attica regional unit of Greece. It is located in the Thriasio Plain, at the northernmost end of the Saronic Gulf. North of Elefsina are Mandra and Magoula, while Aspropyrgos is to the northeast.

It is the site of the Eleusinian Mysteries and the birthplace of Aeschylus. Today, Elefsina is a major industrial centre, with the largest oil refinery in Greece as well as the home of the Aeschylia Festival, the longest-lived arts event in the Attica Region. On 11 November 2016, Elefsina was named the European Capital of Culture for 2021, which became effective in 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic postponement.

  1. ^ Municipality of Elefsina, Municipal elections – October 2023, Ministry of Interior
  2. ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  3. ^ Wells, John C. (2000) [1990]. Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (new ed.). Harlow, England: Longman. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-582-36467-7.