Ancient Agora of Athens

1 - Vangelis Doutsio…, on July 18, 2008, said:

In 1859, the Greek Archaeological Society began the first in a series of excavations at the Ancient Agora in Athens. Their excavations would last until the early 1900's. In 1896 & 1897, the German Archaeological Society lead excavations at the agora after trenches cut in 1890 for a new railway revealed extensive ancient building remains. In 1931, excavations by the American School of Classical Studies started at the Agora in Athens and they continue to this day. Among the ruins of interest at the agora are the remains from the Odeion of Agrippa and the Temple of Hephaistos. The Odeion of Agrippa was an athletic venue, complete with an auditorium and able to seat 1,000 people. When fire destroyed it in 267 AD, a gymnasium was erected in its place. Left behind in the Odeion fire were four large statues mounted on pedestals. These once adorned the Odeion and the gymnasium, thousands of years ago and can be found there today. The Temple of Hephaistos, or Thission, is summed up basically as the most well-preserved ancient Greek temple you are going to find anywhere.

Be sure to stop inside for a tour at the Stoa of Attalos museum, found at the agora. It is a reconstructed version of an original building dating from around 150 BC. It’s collection is made up primarily of exhibits that tie in with the Ancient Agora in Athens and the items found there. Access to the museum is included with the purchase of tickets to the agora. For the agora alone, Other museums that compliment the Stoa of Attalos Agora Museum are the National Archaeological Museum and the new Acropolis Museum.

VPL, on July 18, 2008, said:

Penelope, thanks so much for the background information in your postings. I am really enjoying your recent photos of Athens, especially since you also have caught the light and the sky as was meant to be (and, unfortunately, not as it often is). Regardless, the buildings maintain their dignity. Beautiful pictures. Καλό καλοκαίρι, Βασίλης.

1 - Vangelis Doutsio…, on July 19, 2008, said:

VPL Σε ευχαριστώ Βασίλη για το σχόλιό σου , είναι για μένα πραγματικά πολύ ενθαρρυντικά τα λόγια σου για την προσπάθεια μου να παρουσιάσω τις σκέψεις μου μέσα από κάθε φωτογραφία μου .

Σε ευχαριστώ για τον χρόνο σου Πηνελόπη