athens ancient sites

 
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Athens Ancient Sites: Discover the ancient sites of Athens, Greece

   
The Acropolis

The Acropolis is the most famous Athens ancient site and maybe in Greece. It is also called the "Sacred Rock" and it is the most important ancient heritage. It has been Athens' main attraction since the 5th century BC. At the centre, the Parthenon temple stands proudly over the megalopolis and reminds us all that Athens, despite its actual appearances, was once one of the greatest civilization ever…
The Acropolis and the white Pentelic marble of the Parthenon's tower can be seen from almost every part of Athens and it is the ultimate achievement of the city classical and architectural glory.
The temple is dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom.
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360 animation of the Acropolis
 
The Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora (old market in Greek) was the commercial, trade, administrative and social centre of Athens.
It was a lively place where, during the classical age, many notables men such as Socrates, Sophocles and Aristotle expressed their thoughts and ideas.
Even Saint Paul was present in the Agora in 49 AD.
Even if the area is in ruins, still, many things can be visited.
Stoa of Attalos: The Museum of the Agora is housed in the exact reproduction of the Stoa of Attalos. The museums exhibits finds from the area as well as a reproduction of the Agora in Antiquity. The original Stoa was housing expensive shops for wealthy Athenians and was built by King Attalos II in 159 BC.
 
Roman Agora and Tower of the Wind

The main attraction of the Roman Agora is the tower of the wind. It was built in the 1st century by a Syrian astronomer call Andronicus. The Monument is Octagonal made of Pendelic white marble. The monument was used as a sundial, a weather vane, a water clock and compass. The monument has the name of "tower of the wind" as it has relief of figures floating in the air. The tower stands in perfect shape as it was of great utility for all the conquerors.
Another interesting part of the Roman Agora is the Gate of Athena Archegetis, made of four Doric columns, which was financed by Julius Caesar.
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Athens Ancient Sites: The famous Parthenon

Theatre of Herodes Atticus

The Theatre is located at the south slope of the Acropolis and was added in 161 AD during the Roman rule. It is one of the most impressive Athens ancient monuments and it is still hosting the Athens Festival with performances of theatre, music and dance.
360 animation of Herodes Atticus

The theatre of Herodes Atticus

The theatre was built by Herodes Atticus, a wealthy Roman, in memory of his wife Regilla.
The theatre has exceptional acoustic capacities and can welcome 5000 spectators. It has a facade of 28 m high and 2.4 m width. The theatre is open to visitors only for the performances.


The Keramikos

The Kerameikos was the city's cemetery from the 12th century BC to Roman Times. Despite it central location, this site is between the greenest in Athens.

There is a museum which houses stalae, sculptures, vases and figurine found on the site.
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Temple of Hephaestus: the temple was dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of the forge. The temple was surrounded by metalwork shops and foundries. It is the best preserved Doric temple in Greece. It was built during Pericles' rebuilding program.
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The Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple is the largest Ancient temple of Athens that has ever been built. It took 700 years to build. The work was completed by the Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD. The Temple is composed of 104 Corinthian columns of 17 m high but today, only 17 columns still stands.
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The Temple of Olympian Zeus

Roman Stadium

The Roman Stadium was built in the 4th century BC in order to welcome the Panathenaic Atheletic contests. The Stadium was inaugurated by Herodes Atticus who rebuilt the seats with Pentelic marble.

The Roman Satdium also called Panathinaiko Stadium or Kalimarmaro

The stadium was abandoned for centuries when it was finally restored to welcome the first modern Olympic Games of 1895.
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360 animation of the Roman Stadium
 
Arch of Hadrian

The Arch is located at the end of Amalias Avenue. It was built by the Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD in order to mark the limit between the Ancient Athens and his new city and commemorates the consecration of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
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The Library of Hadrian

The library was located in the north of Roman Agora and was housing books, music and lectures rooms.
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Theatre of Dionysos

The theatre is situated in the south-eastern slope of the acropolis. It was the most important and oldest theatre of Ancient Athens.

They were an older theatre dated to the 6th century BC that was located at the same place which had welcomed the Festival of the Great Dionysia.

The theatre of Dionysos

The festival was of great importance and welcomed writers such as Sophocles or Euripides, Euripides.

The theatre was later renovated with marble and had a capacity of 17.000 seats.

Unfortunately, not much has left from the theatre.
 

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