Ancient Agora of Athens

The Ancient Agora of Athens is the best-known example of an ancient Greek market, located to the northwest of the Acropolis hill between the neighborhoods of Thission and Monastiraki, and bound on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west by the hill known as the Agoraios Kolonos (also called Market Hill).

According to the archaeologist Klio Tsoga,

” The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice.

The site was occupied without interruption in all periods of the city’s history. It was used as a residential and burial area as early as the Late Neolithic period (3000 B.C.). Early in the 6th century, in the time of Solon, the Agora became a public area.

In order to uncover the whole area of the Agora it was necessary to demolish around 400 modern buildings covering a total area of ca. 12 hectares.”

Buildings and structures of the Ancient Agora

Ancient Agora used to be the center of ancient Athens. Many buildings (Bouleuterion, Tholos, Strategeion, etc.), temples, arcades, statues and other structures were part of this magnificent market. Unfortunately, in our days, only two buildings are still standing.

The Ancient Agora was crossed by the Panathenaic Way.During the Panathenaic celebrations – established by Peisistratus and celebrated the third year of each Olympiad – the procession was passing with final destination the Acropolis.

Don’t forget to photograph the following:

1. Bouleuterion

2. Temple of Hephaestus (Hephaestion)

3.  Stoa of Attalos (Which host The Museum of Ancient Agora)

The museum is housed in the Stoa of Attalos, and its exhibits are connected with the Athenian democracy. The collection of the museum includes clay, bronze and glass objects, sculptures, coins and inscriptions from the 7th to the 5th century BC, as well as pottery of the Byzantine period and the Turkish occupation.

Dates & Times

Everyday: 08:00 – 15:00

(Last Entry: 14:45)

                

Ticket Type for Ancient Agora of Athens – Museum of Ancient Agora of Athens

• Full: €8,
• Reduced: €4

Special ticket package:

• Full: €30,
• Reduced: €15

(Valid for 5 days)

Valid for: Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Agora of Athens, Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, Archaeological Site of Lykeion, Hadrian’s Library, Kerameikos, Museum of the Ancient Agora, North slope of Acropolis, Olympieio, Roman Agora of Athens, South Slope of Acropolis

Free admission days:

	6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
	18 April (International Monuments Day)
	18 May (International Museums Day)
	The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
	28 October
	Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st

The site is closed the following dates:

• January the 1st
• 25 of March
• 1st of May
• Easter Sunday
• 25 and 26 of December

Official Webpage:

http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=2384

Metro Station:

Monastiraki (Line 1 & 3)

Thissio (Line 1)