Roman Agora in Athens – The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide
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Also known as the Roman Forum of Athens, the Roman Agora in Athens is where the heart of the ancient city used to beat in Roman times.
Although informational signage is scarce inside the archaeological site, a stroll through the Roman Agora of Athens feels like a journey into the past, as some of its remnants are in excellent condition.
This guide helps you navigate the archaeological site of the Roman Agora in Athens by providing valuable information that will help you put everything you see in context.
Where Is The Roman Agora of Athens?
Situated in Plaka in the heart of Athens, the Roman Agora is north of the Acropolis, near the Ancient Agora of Athens and Hadrian’s Library. The archaeological site of the Roman Forum of Athens is a three-minute walk from Monastiraki Square and its metro station.
What Was an Agora in Ancient Greece?
In modern Greek, agora means marketplace. However, in Ancient Greece, while the Agora did have a commercial purpose, it was also the city’s central gathering point.
From lectures to business exchanges to musical events, all activities took place in the Ancient Agora. Therefore, the Ancient Greek Agora was the equivalent of the Roman Forum.
Timeline of The Roman Agora in Athens
The Roman Agora in Athens was built in the 1st century BC – from 19 BC to 11 BC – when the volume of commercial activities in the Ancient Agora of Athens became too large for the existing Agora to handle.
The solution came when Julius Caesar and August financed the construction of a new marketplace, just a short walk from Stoa of Attalos in the Ancient Agora of Athens.
The two Agoras were linked via a road that ran along the colonnade of the Library of Pantainos. The ruins of the Library of Pantainos are located between the two Agoras and you can see them as you stroll along Pikilis Street as the site isn’t open for visits.
The ancient road connecting the two Agoras is now visible from the corner of Pikilis and Dioskouron streets, just outside the Athena Archegetis Gate. You can only see part of the road as the rest is covered by the modern Pikilis Street.
The inner courtyard of the Roman Forum of Athens was paved in the 2nd century AD during Emperor Hadrian’s reign. Part of the original floor is still visible near the Eastern Entrance.
The Roman Agora of Athens was in constant use until the 19th century. During the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, parts of the Agora were occupied by buildings, churches, and mosques. It’s not certain when the Roman Forum of Athens was destroyed.
Why Is The Roman Agora of Athens Important?
Like the Ancient Agora of Athens, the Roman Agora in Athens was where any Ancient Athenian would go about their day, shopping, meeting with friends and business partners, and discussing serious or trivial matters.
Therefore, the Roman Agora of Athens is a testament to the daily lives and activities of Ancient Athenians, and this is where its importance lies.
On a more specific note, the Tower of the Winds, one of the most striking monuments in the Roman Agora in Athens, is considered the oldest meteorological station in the world.
Is The Roman Agora in Athens Worth Visiting?
Even though you can have a panoramic view of the Roman Agora of Athens by strolling along the quaint streets surrounding it, it’s still worth stepping inside for a closer look at the site’s ancient ruins.
The interior of the Tower of the Winds is fascinating, offering a glimpse into ancient engineering. Moreover, the Roman Agora’s ancient public toilets are mind-blowing. Last but not least, standing below the monumental Eastern Entrance makes you feel like a true time traveler.
FAQs About Visiting The Roman Agora in Athens
How long does it take to visit the Roman Agora of Athens?
The archaeological site of the Athens Roman Agora is relatively small. Exploring the Roman Agora of Athens takes around 30 to 45 minutes.
What was the Roman Agora used for in Ancient Athens?
The Roman Agora was used for business and commercial activities. It was the marketplace of the ancient city of Athens.
What is the difference between the Ancient Agora and the Roman Agora in Athens?
Founded in the 6th century BC, the Ancient Agora is much older than the Roman Agora. A few centuries later, when Ancient Athens was under Roman rule, the Romans constructed the Roman Agora next to the Ancient Agora to transfer all commercial activities there.
The Ancient Agora remained the political and cultural center of Athens, while the Roman Agora became the city’s commercial center.
Is the Roman Agora of Athens accessible?
Yes, the Roman Agora of Athens is fully accessible. There’s a separate entrance with a ramp for wheelchair users. Just ask the person at the entrance booth to open it for you. Inside the archaeological site, there are wheelchair ramps and a few signs written in Braille.
Is there a metro station near the Roman Agora of Athens?
Yes, the closest metro station is Monastiraki, a 3-minute walk from the Roman Agora of Athens.
Is the Roman Agora of Athens included in the Acropolis of Athens Combo Ticket?
Yes, the Roman Agora of Athens is one of the seven archaeological sites included in the Acropolis Combo Ticket.
Are there any toilets or other facilities in the Roman Forum of Athens?
Yes, there are toilets at the ticket office area on Epaminonda Street. There’s also a vending machine where you can buy bottled water.
Are there any restaurants near the Roman Agora of Athens?
Yes, there’s a traditional restaurant right above the archaeological site. Although we can’t comment on the food as we have yet to eat there, it’s worth grabbing a bite for the stunning views of the Roman Agora and the Acropolis it offers.
One of our favorite hang-outs in Plaka is Dioskouroi, a few steps from the Roman Agora.
What To See in The Roman Agora of Athens – Walking Route
We love archaeological sites in Greece but, sadly, not all of them are easy to navigate. First of all, there isn’t always a clear route to follow. Moreover, not all areas have informative signs and, when they do, sometimes these signs use difficult terminology.
Also, on-site maps often include monuments or points of interest that are no longer visible – because they’re either destroyed or covered by the modern city.
This section is meant to help you navigate any ancient site in Greece by providing a tested-by-us walking route of the most important monuments that you can actually see – rather than just imagine.
Furthermore, we replace the original scientific terms (here in brackets) with simple translations in English when necessary and provide context in cases where informative signs are scarce or non-existent.
The Roman Agora in Athens was a rectangular building with colonnades on each side and an open-air courtyard in the middle. The current archaeological site showcases only part of the original Roman Forum of Athens.
The northeastern side of the Roman Agora is being excavated in an adjacent site visible from Pelopida Street. There’s also a part that hasn’t been excavated, as adjacent streets, churches, and modern buildings cover it.
Roman Agora of Athens Map
Gate of Athena Archegetis
The Roman Agora of Athens had two entrance halls (Propyla), one on the eastern side and another on the western part. Dedicated to Goddess Athena Archegetis (Leader), the West Propylon was the main entrance, made of precious Pentelic marble.
Step inside the Roman Agora archaeological site through the impressive main entrance, the still-standing Doric Gate of Athena Archegetis. Once you realize that people have been doing the same for centuries on end, you’ll be overcome by a unique feeling of excitement.
Southern Side
After you enter the archaeological site via the Athena Archegetis Gate, turn right to start your stroll from the Roman Agora’s southern side.
The first thing you’ll see is a pile of stones at the southwestern corner. These belonged to the Byzantine St. Sotira’s Church, which used to stand right next to the Athena Archegetis Propylon.
Along the Southern Colonnade, you can see a channel for draining rainwater from the open-air inner courtyard, once paved with marble floors.
In the middle of the Southern Colonnade, the steps descending from the higher-level road were part of a smaller entrance to the Roman Agora, the South Entrance.
From your standpoint, you can see a fountain house on the right side of the steps, whereas on the left were the ruins of offices. You can have a much better view of all these from the road outside the Roman Agora.
Eastern Entrance Hall (Eastern Propylon)
Another entrance hall (Propylon) was on the Roman Agora’s eastern side. Unlike the Athena Archegetis Propylon, the Eastern Propylon featured grey Ionic columns without flutes and was flanked by a series of shops.
Even if only parts of the columns have survived, if you stand at a higher point and see the Propylon’s layout, you can easily imagine how glorious it must have been back in the day.
Market Regulation Office (Agoranomeion)
Originally located outside the Roman Agora but now part of the archaeological site, the so-called Agoranomeion building was on a higher level, a few steps from the Eastern Propylon.
There isn’t enough evidence about the building’s identity, but it’s believed to have been the market’s regulation office or Agoranomeion. Three – or two and a half, to be precise – marble arches and the entrance steps are the building’s only surviving parts.
Tower of The Winds
Located next to Agoranomeion, the Tower of The Winds is the indisputable highlight of the Athens Roman Agora.
The ancient astronomer Andronicus Cyrrhestes was the mastermind behind the Tower of The Winds, an impressive Clock named after its relief decorations, which depict personified versions of the winds.
On each of the Clock’s eight sides, there is a sundial and a relief of a wind deity. On the original roof at the top of the Tower, the remains of a Corinthian capital were the base of a weather vane in Triton form.
Made of Pentelic marble, the octagonal tower functioned as a sundial. On cloudy days, it worked as a water clock, thanks to its hydraulic mechanism.
If, during your visit, the doors of the Tower are shut, you can still peek at its interior from behind the entrance door.
Don’t forget to look down. The mechanism of the water clock was installed on the channels on the ground. The water came from the Acropolis through the turret on the Tower’s south side.
Apart from a water clock, the mechanism may have been a planetarium or astronomical clock. Some studies reveal that it might have been similar to the mind-blowing Antikythera Mechanism, one of the best things to see in the Archaeological Museum of Athens.
The Tower of The Winds predates the Roman Agora’s opening to the public. In the Byzantine period, it was used as a church.
Public Toilets (Vespasianae)
The market’s public toilets were at the back of the Roman Agora’s shops, next to the Tower of The Winds. Toilets were communal, and you can see a couple of the surviving round holes set next to each other along each wall of the rectangular building.
Beneath the holes, a wide channel with running water removed the waste. The building was open in the middle for light and ventilation. Stand on the east side for a better view of the public latrines.
Basilica & Fethiye Mosque
Before you leave, have a quick look at Fethiye Mosque in the north side of the Roman Agora of Athens. Fethiye Mosque was built in the 17th century on the ruins of an early Christian Basilica.
Fethiye Mosque was one of the area’s Ottoman buildings, along with the Old Madrasa (Islamic school) just outside the Roman Agora.
During our recent visit, the Ottoman mosque was closed to the public until further notice. However, we had the chance to visit the Turkish mosque a few years ago when it hosted temporary exhibitions.
From Pelopida Street outside the archaeological side, you can admire the mosque’s gorgeous facade.
Roman Agora of Athens Opening Hours
During the winter period:
November 1st to March 31st: 8 AM to 3 PM
During the summer period:
April 1st to October 31st: 8 AM to 8 PM
On January 1st, March 25th, May 1st, Greek Easter Sunday, December 25th, and December 26th, the archaeological site of the Roman Forum of Athens is closed.
Roman Agora of Athens Entrance Fees
Remember that the ticket office isn’t at the archaeological site but on Epaminonda Steet, right across the street from the Roman Agora.
The full admission fee is 8 EUR. From November 1st to March 31st, the ticket costs 4 EUR instead. The archaeological site of the Roman Agora of Athens is one of the seven archaeological sites included in the Acropolis Combined Ticket.
Entrance is free on the following days, but expect crowds: March 6th, April 18th, May 18th, the last weekend of September, October 28th, and the first Sunday of each month from November to March.
How To Get To The Roman Forum of Athens
Situated in the heart of the historic center, the Roman Agora of Athens is easily accessible on foot or by metro. It’s only a few minutes’ walk from Monastiraki Square and its metro station.
If you start early, you can combine your visit to the Roman Agora with the nearby Ancient Agora of Athens and the famous Library of Hadrian.
Where To Stay Near The Roman Agora in Athens
For ancient history lovers, the best areas to stay in Athens are Plaka and Monastiraki. The 5-star Electra Palace is one of the finest hotels for a memorable stay in Athens, boasting an excellent location near the city’s major attractions.
Things To Do Near The Roman Forum of Athens
You can explore the Ancient Agora of Athens and visit Hadrian’s Library. These two are the closest archaeological sites to the Roman Agora. The Acropolis is a short but uphill walk from the Roman Agora in Athens.
With the exception of Aristotle’s Lykeion School, all other archaeological sites included in the Acropolis Combo Ticket are within easy walking distance of the Roman Agora in Athens.
Other than sightseeing, exploring Plaka’s quaint streets and taverns is the best way to relax after a busy morning roaming around the Greek capital’s ancient sites. If you’re planning a trip to Athens soon, here’s how to spend three days in Athens.
The Roman Agora of Athens might not boast the splendor of the neighboring Ancient Agora of Athens, but it’s still worth a visit as it represents a different period in the history of Ancient Athens, the Roman era.
We hope this guide helps you make the most of your time in the Roman Agora in Athens, a mandatory stop for any Ancient Greek history enthusiast.
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