Cape Tenaron or cape Matapan is mainland Greece's southernmost point. It was the site of the Ancient city Taenarum. Nearby is a cave legend claims was the home of Hades the God of underworld. On the hill above the cave there is a temple dedicated to the God of the sea Poseidon.
Tenaron's lighthouse was built in 1892 and its luminosity was 12 nautical miles. In 1984 it was upgraded with solar panels and its luminosity is now 22 nautical miles. The trek to the lighthouse from the end of the paved road is 2.2 kilometers. For those who decide to take the hike to this very interesting place is better to start early in the morning or late in the evening in order to avoid the blazing summer Greek sun as there is no shade in its entirety. I visited the site in 1968 when I was serving in the Greek Navy and my brother visited it recently on foot.
