Pnyx

Athens, Greece

The Pnyx is a hill in central Athens. Beginning as early as 507 BC, the Athenians gathered on the Pnyx to host their popular assemblies, thus making the hill one of the earliest and most important sites in the creation of democracy.

Pnyx is a small, rocky hill surrounded by parkland, with a large flat platform of eroded stone set into its side, and by steps carved on its slope. It was the meeting place of one of the world's earliest known democratic legislatures, the Athenian ekklesia (assembly), and the flat stone platform was the bema, the 'stepping stone' or speakers' platform. As such, the Pnyx is the material embodiment of the principle of isēgoría, 'equal speech', i.e. the equal right of every citizen to debate matters of policy.

Today the site of the Pnyx is under the control of the Ephorate of Prehistorical and Classical Antiquities of the Greek Ministry of Culture. The surrounding parkland is fenced, but the traveler can visit it free of charge at any time.

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Address

Dimitriou Eginitou 14, Athens, Greece
See all sites in Athens

Details

Founded: 570 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Greece

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

Anxhela Dilo (8 months ago)
Beautiful..l.love athina..
Sofia Ignatiadou (8 months ago)
Necessary more information and cultural development of the place. Wonderful view.
donzsy (2 years ago)
We have been to several spots that have great view of the Acropolis and I’d say that the Pnyx is my favorite spot. For one, it’s really easy to get too, it’s a comfortable walk. The view is spectacular and when we went there it, there’s no crowd. History buffs will love this place too because it’s more than just the view it offers. Plenty of significant event took place here that it is said to be the seat of democracy.
Borderpolar Cyberfunk (2 years ago)
Amazing view of Athens and Acropolis.
Jasper Smet (2 years ago)
Rocks
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