Kerameikos, Athens, Greece - SpottingHistory

Kerameikos was the potters' quarter of the city, from which the English word 'ceramic' is derived, and was also the site of an important cemetery and numerous funerary sculptures erected along the road out of the city towards Eleusis.

The earliest tombs at the Kerameikos date from the Early Bronze Age (2700-2000 BC), and the cemetery appears to have continuously expanded from the sub-Mycenaean period (1100-1000 BC). In the Geometric (1000-700 BC) and Archaic periods (700-480 BC) the number of tombs increased; they were arranged inside tumuli or marked by funerary monuments. The cemetery was used incessantly from the Hellenistic period until the Early Christian period (338 BC until approximately the sixth century AD).

The most important Athenian vases come from the tombs of the Kerameikos. Among them is the famous “Dipylon Oinochoe”, which bears the earliest inscription written in the Greek alphabet (second half of the eighth century BC). The site's small museum houses the finds from the Kerameikos excavations.

References:

Ministry of Culture and Sports

User Reviews

Kenn Bryan (10 months ago)
This was my favourite attraction to visit in Athens. It was serene, well thought out, and an absolute gem in the midst of a bustling city. Come here to unwind and enjoy the ancient dust of the cemetery.

Marin “SayanMk” Kolev (14 months ago)
Top graveyard of the archeological sites. Many preserved and duplicated memorial stones in a well placed manner, but I have to be honest - there was a turtle when I walked in and it made my day ? I hope you'll see it too. There are stories of the monuments to the left after entering. Quite interesting. The city hall wasn't that much.

Amanda Cooke (17 months ago)
Really great spot for anyone interested in ancient cemeteries - the tumuli are very cool, easily visible and the whole place is not overly crowded. With the remnants of the ancient wall, the gates and procession into Athens, this is a great spot for the history of the city. The little museum is worth ducking into as well, with some great artifacts on display.

Georges Younes (17 months ago)
Slightly off the beaten path, Kerameikos is worth the few extra steps that you will take to reach it. It's quieter than most of the sites in central Athens, also larger, and has more to offer in the form of a beautiful small museum with many important artefacts. Take your time to visit the site and sit under the shade of the huge fig tree in the middle. What a feeling!

Childof Thoth85 (18 months ago)
Part of the combination ticket. A really good walk in the sunshine with tortoises roaming about. The sculptures and graves really are beautiful.

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