Laconia Sights & Monuments - Located at the southernmost point of mainland Greece, Ancient Teranon in Laconia, Peloponnese is also known as Cape Teranon and Cape Mapatan. Found at the end of the Mani Peninsula, it separates the Messenian Gulf in the west from the Laconian Gulf in the east. This site has been of importance for millennia, with the tip of Cape Matapan being the location of the ancient town of Teranon. Greek legends claim that a cave near Teranon was the home of Hades, the god of the dead, and the ancient Spartans built several temples in the area dedicated to various gods. Remnants of an ancient temple dedicated to the sea god Poseidon can also be found atop of the hill above the cave. During the Byzantine Empire, the temple was converted into a Christian church and still holds Christian rites to this day. In addition, Ancient Teranon was also once a gathering spot for mercenaries seeking employment.

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