Hadrian's Library

Athens, Greece

Hadrian's Library was created by Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 132 on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens.

The building followed a typical Roman Forum architectural style, having only one entrance with a propylon of Corinthian order, a high surrounding wall with protruding niches (oikoi, exedrae) at its long sides, an inner courtyard surrounded by columns and a decorative oblong pool in the middle.The library was on the eastern side where rolls of papyrus 'books' were kept. Adjoining halls were used as reading rooms, and the corners served as lecture halls.

The library was seriously damaged by the Herulian invasion of 267 and repaired by the prefect Herculius in AD 407-412. During Byzantine times, three churches were built at the site, the remains of which are preserved: a tetraconch (5th century AD), a three-aisled basilica (7th century) and a simple cathedral (12th century), which was the first cathedral of the city.

References:

Comments

Your name

Website (optional)


Address

Areos 3, Athens, Greece
See all sites in Athens

Details

Founded: 132 AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Greece

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.ancient.eu
www.aviewoncities.com

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Parthenon (0,5 km)
Acropolis (0,5 km)
Erechtheion (0,4 km)
Temple of Rome and Augustus (0,4 km)
Propylaea (0,4 km)
Asclepeion (0,5 km)
Temple of Athena Nike (0,5 km)
Odeon of Herodes Atticus (0,5 km)
Theatre of Dionysus (0,6 km)

User Reviews

Chris Bing (2 months ago)
Probably the least essential of the combination ticket sites to actually enter, I wouldn't pay for this on its own. There really isnt much that you can't see almost as well from outside.
Paul Egges (2 months ago)
It was good. I went even though Google said it was closed. I'm glad I did as it was open after all. Maybe the hours changed.
Michael G. (4 months ago)
The remains of a library commissioned by Roman Emperor Hadrian. Although quite interesting and even featuring an active archaeological dig, the site is relatively small, and would require 30-60m at most. Depending on your preferences, the site is either conveniently or unpleasantly close to tourist central, and therefore everything that goes with that.
Phillip Whitehair (4 months ago)
It’s truly amazing knowing your walking around a structure 3000 years old. There’s still a lot of structures left in the complex, which makes for some great pictures. The museum, which is kind of hidden provides a lot of interesting information, especially the details of what Athens was experiencing during War War 2. Luckily Athens was spared the destruction of the Nazis and bombings of the Allies, which spared all these beautifully historical structures. I would definitely suggest spending the 30 Euro and getting access to all the sites and spend a couple days exploring.
S L (5 months ago)
Wonderful. Where past meets the present and they dance in harmony. It is where the knowledge was produced and spread across the world. Amazing
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Must-see historic sighs in Luxembourg
Photo from Flickr, copyright Alexxx1979

Historic Site of the week

Church of the Savior on Blood

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is one of the main sights of St. Petersburg. The church was built on the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated and was dedicated in his memory. Construction began in 1883 under Alexander III, as a memorial to his father, Alexander II. Work progressed slowly and was finally completed during the reign of Nicholas II in 1907. Funding was provided by the Imperial family with the support of many private donors.

Architecturally, the Cathedral differs from St. Petersburg's other structures. The city's architecture is predominantly Baroque and Neoclassical, but the Savior on Blood harks back to medieval Russian architecture in the spirit of romantic nationalism. It intentionally resembles the 17th-century Yaroslavl churches and the celebrated St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.

The Church contains over 7500 square metres of mosaics — according to its restorers, more than any other church in the world. The interior was designed by some of the most celebrated Russian artists of the day — including Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov and Mikhail Vrubel — but the church's chief architect, Alfred Alexandrovich Parland, was relatively little-known (born in St. Petersburg in 1842 in a Baltic-German Lutheran family). Perhaps not surprisingly, the Church's construction ran well over budget, having been estimated at 3.6 million roubles but ending up costing over 4.6 million. The walls and ceilings inside the Church are completely covered in intricately detailed mosaics — the main pictures being biblical scenes or figures — but with very fine patterned borders setting off each picture.

In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, the church was ransacked and looted, badly damaging its interior. The Soviet government closed the church in the early 1930s. During the Second World War when many people were starving due to the Siege of Leningrad by Nazi German military forces, the church was used as a temporary morgue for those who died in combat and from starvation and illness. The church suffered significant damage. After the war, it was used as a warehouse for vegetables, leading to the sardonic name of Saviour on Potatoes.

In July 1970, management of the Church passed to Saint Isaac's Cathedral (then used as a highly profitable museum) and proceeds from the Cathedral were funneled back into restoring the Church. It was reopened in August 1997, after 27 years of restoration, but has not been reconsecrated and does not function as a full-time place of worship; it is a Museum of Mosaics. Even before the Revolution it never functioned as a public place of worship; having been dedicated exclusively to the memory of the assassinated tsar, the only services were panikhidas (memorial services). The Church is now one of the main tourist attractions in St. Petersburg.

Map Top Sights Tags Historical Periods City Guides About Us Sign Up Upload new site
© 2019 SpottingHistory.com. All rights reserved.