Ancient Agora (Athens, July 4)

The Ancient Agora is located below the Acropolis. It was the main market and meeting place in the old city. Among the sights are the restored Stoa of Attalos (a kind of ancient mall), and the Temple of Hephaestos (Theseion), one of the best preserved Doric temples.

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We came into the Agora after descending from the Acropolis. The recent excavations have cleared out the main street and the foundations of many of the shops and other public buildings that made up the Agora.

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The Stoa of Attalos has been reconstructed into something like its appearance during Roman times. The stoa was, in effect, an ancient upscale mall where the wealthy Romans of Athens would come to see and be seen. Among the artifacts on display are statues of the late Roman emperors Marcus Auraleus and Antoninus Pius.

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The Temple of Hephaestos (also known as the Theseion), is located on a small hill at one end of the Agora. It is considered to be one of the best preserved ancient Doric temples in the world.

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From here we went on to the Roman Agora.