Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5. ROMAN FORUM AND TOWER OF THE WINDS
One of the most interestingly layered sites. Buildings and remains include the in-
genious Tower of the Winds from 50 BC, the first-century AD Roman forum, and a
mosque built by the Ottomans. (For further details see
Roman Forum and Tower of
Google Map
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6. HADRIAN'S LIBRARY
Hadrian built this luxurious Corinthian-columned building in AD 132. Most of the
space was actually a showy marble courtyard, with gardens and a pool. There were
also lecture rooms, music rooms and a theatre. The library itself was on the east side,
where you can see marble slots for manuscript scrolls. (For further details see
Had-
Google Map
7. AGORA
statesmen hammered out the terms of the first democracy, was the city's heart and
soul for 600 years. This is one of the most hands-on sites in Athens and includes the
Temple of Hephaestus, the best-preserved ancient Greek temple.
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8. KERAMEIKOS
This fascinating site around ancient Athens' walls should not be missed. It contains
evidence of all the activities that take place at a city's edge: tombs (raised circular
mounds for war heroes, pompous marble statues for great statesmen), temples, im-
portant roads, pottery workshops and a brothel. It's also a shady oasis in the conges-
ted city centre. (For further details see
Kerameikos
.
)
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