Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Athens, Greece

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens. It was built in 161 AD by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. It was originally a steep-sloped theater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof made of expensive cedar of Lebanon timber. It was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000. It lasted intact until it was destroyed and left in ruins by the Heruli in 267 AD.

The audience stands and the orchestra (stage) were restored using Pentelic marble in the 1950s. Since then it has been the main venue of the Athens Festival, which runs from May through October each year, featuring a variety of acclaimed Greek as well as International performances.

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Acropolis, Athens, Greece
See all sites in Athens

Details

Founded: 161 AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Greece

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

vicky yuanyuan geng (8 months ago)
An experience of a lifetime to see a concert here. Beautiful amphitheater. Sound was amazing! We were so happy that we saw Sting here. Yes, feels like you are in ancient times. Magical place.
Narcis Arjoca (11 months ago)
Super interesting experience when a show is playing. It feels like you tare in ancient Greece, super nice. There are spectacles all the time there, info available at info point outside. Really hot in summer but worth the money and the sweat. Not the best sound for orchestras and operas and stuff but the experience is wort it
Gian Schauer (11 months ago)
Beautiful open theatre still hosting performances. Steep marble steps with cushioned stadium seating don't detract from the incredible 360 degree views. Breezy but pleasant. Modern toilets and good refreshment selection and service.
Kaitlyn Schnellbacher (12 months ago)
Beautiful amphitheater that is still in use today! Unfortunately none of the shows lined up with our stay in Athens so we could experience one first hand, but I heard from locals that they are really something to experience. You can also view the amphitheater from the Acropolis grounds, which give an interesting top-down view and shows how the theater is functioning to this day!
SIDONIE SANDRINE (14 months ago)
I had the opportunity to watch a live performance of the great actor and comedian John Cleese here. It was simply quite breathtaking to be inside this Iconic Roman theatre. So if you have the opportunity to go and watch a live show here instead of the tour then please do so.
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Odeon of Herodes Atticus

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens. It was built in 161 AD by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. It was originally a steep-sloped theater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof made of expensive cedar of Lebanon timber. It was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000. It lasted intact until it was destroyed and left in ruins by the Heruli in 267 AD.

The audience stands and the orchestra (stage) were restored using Pentelic marble in the 1950s. Since then it has been the main venue of the Athens Festival, which runs from May through October each year, featuring a variety of acclaimed Greek as well as International performances.