Ancient Agora of Athens Tickets and Information
- Ancient Agora of Athens Address: Adrianou 24, 105 55, Athens
- Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 - 17:00
Is Ancient Agora of Athens Worth Visiting
- If you enjoy historical sites, absolutely, it’s a must.
What You See At Ancient Agora of Athens
- Ancient architecture
- Ancient ruins
- Ancient buildings
About Ancient Agora of Athens
The Ancient Agora of Athens is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece. It offers a glimpse into the social, political, and commercial heart of ancient Athens and it is considered by some to be the birthplace of democracy.
Located in the heart of modern Athens, the Ancient Agora was the focal point of public life and would have served as a marketplace, a meeting place, and centre of government from the 6th century BCE until the late Roman period.
Just picture life there in a bustling town.
What You Can See At The Ancient Agora of Athens
- The Stoa of Attalos: A grand building surrounded by vast columns to support it and make it look impressive. It was reconstructed in the 1950s, the Stoa of Attalos now houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora which displays artefacts found in the Ancient Agora, including pottery, coins, and sculptures that shed light on the daily life of ancient Athenians.
- The Temple of Hephaestus: One of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples, the temple is dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of fire and metalworking, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. Its impressive Doric architecture and state of preservation make it a must-see!
- The Odeon of Agrippa: A large concert hall that was built by Marcus Agrippa in the 1st century BCE, which could seat around 1,000 people. You can see the remains of the stage, the seating area, and the statues that were on the building.
- The Tholos: A round building that served as the headquarters of the Prytaneis (a group of 50 council members who were responsible for the day-to-day running of the city). It also housed the sacred hearth of the city, which is the base of where a perpetual fire burned in the city.
- The Bouleuterion: The council chamber where the 500 members of the Athenian council (Boule) would have met to discuss and decide on important matters of state. The remains of the Old and New Bouleuterion can still be seen.
- The Altar of the Twelve Gods: This was the central altar and would have been considered the symbolic centre of the city and was dedicated to the 12 Olympian gods. It was a popular place for offerings and the starting point for measuring distances in Athens.
- The Panathenaic Way: A processional road that ran through the Agora, used during the Panathenaic Festival to carry the peplos (a ceremonial robe) to the statue of Athena on the Acropolis.
- The Statue of Apollo Patroos: The remains of a large statue that was dedicated to Apollo is located near the Stoa of Zeus. Apollo Patroos was considered the protector of families and ancestral homes.
- The Monument of the Eponymous Heroes: A large platform where statues of the ten heroes representing the tribes of Athens stood. It served as a public notice board where citizens could find official announcements.
- The Water Clock (Klepsydra): An ancient timekeeping device used to measure the length of speeches in the law courts. The water clock was essential in maintaining fairness during trials.
- The Statue of Hadrien: Another imposing statue dedicated to the Roman Emperor Hadrian, which shows the Roman influence on ancient Greece.
- Ancient Residential Remains: You can also see the remnants of the old homes that were close to the centre.
The Ancient Agora of Athens also offers great views of the surrounding area, including the Acropolis. If you enjoy visiting historical sites, you will love this one!