Ancient Eleusis

Perissa is believed to be the site of the ancient city of Thera, Eleusis (also called Elefsina), which is also mentioned by Ptolemy the Geographer. On its ruins, a new city was built in Byzantine times. For example, ruins of a 5th-century basilica have been found two meters below the little church of Saint Irene (Agia Irini). It is believed that the harbor of ancient Elefsina is submerged near the cape of Exomitis, west of Perissa. One kilometer north of the cape, ancient tombs that were carved into the rock have been excavated.