Archaeological sights in Athens
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Temple of Olympian Zeus
The colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus (or Olympeion) is the largest in Greece and took more than 700 years to build. Fifteen of the original 104 massive (17m-high) Corinthian columns survive, along with the one that toppled over in a gale in 1852. Peisistratos began building the temple in the 6th century BC on the western bank of the Ilissos River, at the site of a smaller temple (590–560 BC) dedicated to the cult of Olympian Zeus (its foundations can be seen on the site), but construction stalled due to lack of funds. A succession of leaders tried to finish the job, making adjustments along the way, which explains inconsistencies in the temple. Hadrian finally finished th…
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Theatre of Dionysos
The original 6th-century timber theatre was built on the site of the Festival of the Great Dionysia. During Athens’ golden age, the theatre hosted productions of the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. Reconstructed in stone and marble between 342 and 326 BC, the theatre had seating for more than 17,000 spectators (spread over 64 tiers, of which only about 20 tiers survive) and an altar to Dionysos in the orchestra pit. The Pentelic marble thrones on the lower levels were for dignitaries and priests – including a grand one in the centre for the Priest of Dionysos, identifiable by the lions’ paws, satyrs and griffins carved on the back.
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Street of Tombs
Leading off the Sacred Way to the left as you head away from the city is the Street of Tombs. This avenue was reserved for the tombs of Athens' most prominent citizens. The surviving stelae are now in the National Archaeological Museum, and what you see are replicas. The astonishing array of funerary monuments, and their bas reliefs warrant more than a cursory examination.
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Ancient Agora
Athens’ ancient marketplace is a fascinating site to explore. It’s here you’ll find the superb Temple of Hephaestus, Agora Museum and the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles of Solakis.
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