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The site of the most famous military victory in Athenian history is not far from the village of MARATHONAS , 42km from Athens. Buses also leave from the Mavromateon terminal in Athens, some of them calling first at Rafina. Just over three kilometres after Nea Makri (4km before the village of Marathonas) there is a turn to the right; the Tymfos Marathona stands to the left of the road 700 metres after this turn. The ancient burial mound was raised over 192 Athenians who died in the city's famous victory over the Persians in 490 BC. Consisting only of overgrown earth piled ten metres high, it is a quietly impressive monument. Another mound, this for the eleven Plataian allies of the Athenians (including a ten-year-old boy) who died in the battle, is about 5km away, near the edge of the mountain. To reach the Mound of the Plataians and the archeological museum , return to the Rafina-Marathonas road and turn right towards the village of Marathonas. Take a left and follow the small yellow signs for 2.5km to the museum (open, as is the mound precinct, Tues-Sun 8.30am-2.30pm; ?1.50), with a sparse collection of artefacts mainly from the local Cave of Pan, a deity felt to have aided the victory. Marathonas village itself is a dull place, with just a couple of cafes and restaurants for the passing trade. Nearby, though, to the west, and quite an impressive site, is Limni Marathona - Marathon Lake - with its huge marble dam. This provided Athens' entire water supply until the 1950s and is still used as a storage facility for water from the giant Mornos project in central Greece. You can drive or walk across the top of the dam and there is a scenically situated cafe/restaurant on the east side. The coast around ancient Marathon takes in some good stretches of sand, walkable from the tomb if you want to cool off. The best and most popular beach is to the north at SKHINIAS , a long, pine-backed strand with shallow water. There is a campsite , Camping Marathon , midway along the road from Marathonas. Of the tavernas, Iy Avra is the best bet and stays open most of the year, at least at weekends.
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