The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an ancient stone structure is a majestic theater in Athens on the southwest slope of the Acropolis.
Herod Atticus theatre is many centuries old and could accommodate up to 5000 people for musical performances.
Book your Odeon of Herodes Atticus tickets now to explore this attraction.
Get the directions to the Greek theater Odeon.
What is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus?
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre is a Greco-Roman Stone Theatre located on the Acropolis Hill or the Acropolis of Athens.
A wealthy benefactor of Athens, Herodes Atticus, funded the theater, and he wanted the theater to be a gift to the people of Athens.
Hence, the locals widely know it as simply Herodeon.
Apart from functional use in its heydays, the structure is also an ode to Herodes Atticus’ late wife.
What was the Odeon of Herodes Atticus used for?
In ancient times, the Athens Odeon of Herodes Atticus was mainly used for hosting plays and musical performances.
Besides this, it was also used as a gathering place for locals.
The theater’s glory can be estimated from the fact that it is still used as a stage for concerts, plays and all kinds of performances.
Catch one of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus Events 2023 by timing your visit to the Acropolis.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus history
In 161 AD, Herodes Atticus built the Odeon in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla.
Later, the Greek theater Odeon was ravaged during the invasion of the Heruli in 267 AD, with a shadow of its original self remaining for centuries.
It was reconstructed in the early 20th century and is still used for cultural events in Athens.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus has become a venue for cultural events, such as the famous Athens and Epidaurus Festival.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus architecture
The theatre of Herodes Atticus was one of the most impressive structures in ancient Athens and was renowned for its exceptional acoustics.
Pentelic marble is essential to the Athens Odeon of Herodes Atticus architecture.
The theatre’s façade was adorned with impressive reliefs, statues, and inscriptions.
There are other prominent historic locations in the Acropolis of Athens that you should never miss out on, such as the Erechtheion, Parthenon, the temple of Athena Nike and the Acropolis Museum!
Choose from various tours and tickets to the Acropolis!
How to get to Odeon of Herodes Atticus?
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre is located on the Southwest slope of Acropolis Hill.
Thus, it is easily accessible from the three nearest stations to the Acropolis: Monastiraki, Theseio, and Acropoli station.
You can prefer the Acropolis metro Station (red line) as it is only a 750 m walk away from the attraction.
Know more about how to get to the Acropolis.
You also need a valid Acropolis Athens Entry ticket to explore this archaeological site.
Note: Don’t just browse the Acropolis of Athens; learn about its significance by opting for the guided tickets.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus Events 2023
Watching a performance or a musical show at an ancient Greco-Roman theater is an experience of a lifetime.
The Herod Atticus Theatre regularly hosts various musical performances and shows.
Visitors can catch Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma on 28 and 30 August 2023.
It is one of the first operas presented in Athens as a newly formed state in 1837.
Similarly, there are plenty of musical performances by various artists, theatrical performances and more in the subsequent months of 2023.
Odeon Herodes Atticus events run from June to early October every year.
The joy of enjoying the electric ambiance and performance at this ancient theater in itself is an experience.
Check out this website for detailed date-wise information about the events at Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Contents
FAQs
What was the Odeon of Herodes Atticus used for?
Odeon of Herodes Atticus was used as a venue for musical concerts with a capacity of 5000 people.
It was built by Herodes Atticus, a wealthy benefactor of Athens, as an ode to his dead wife, Aspasia Annual Regilla.
When was the Odeon of Herodes Atticus built?
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus was built between 160 AD and 174 AD.
Thus, it is relatively newer than the other significant structures at Acropolis Hill.
Who built the Odeon of Herodes Atticus?
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus was built by the wealthy Athenian benefactor Herodes Atticus in 161 AD.
Herodes Atticus built it as an ode to his dead wife, Aspasia Annual Regilla and a gift to the people of Athens.
Is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus still used today?
The Heruli destroyed the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and left it in ruins in 267 AD.
However, it was in the 1950s when the city decided to reconstruct the venue to its grand glory.
Get your Acropolis ticket to witness this magnificent beauty.
How old is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus?
The wealthy Athenian benefactor Herodes Atticus funded the original structure in 161 AD.
Thus, it makes the Odeon of Herodes somewhere around 1862 years old.
It was destroyed and left in ruins by Heruli in 267 AD.
Some restoration and reconstruction work occurred in 1898, 1900, and 1922.
Finally, in the 1950s, further reconstruction work made Herodes theater in Athens more functional.
What are the dimensions of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus?
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stepped-sloped stone theater with a three-story wall in front.
It has a massive semi-circular shape whose diameter is 80 meters.
The length of this structure is a massive 92 meters, and the height is equally impressive at 28 meters.
It has a capacity of approximately 5,000 people, which gives you a hint of its incredible size, given how old it is.
In its original shape, the theater had a wooden roof made of expensive cedar of Lebanon timber.
The seating is made up of limestone and clad with blue-hued marble.
What’s the best way to see Herod Atticus Odeon?
To fully experience the grandeur of Herod Atticus Odeon in Athens, get your tickets beforehand.
Visitors consider the guided tour of the Acropolis one of the best ways to see Herod Atticus Odeon.
Guides can give valuable historical and cultural context to enhance your experience.
If you plan to attend some exciting Odeon of Herodes Atticus events 2023, visiting the Odeon during sunset can add magic to your experience.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Herod Atticus Odeon?
Yes, booking your Odeon of Herodes Atticus tickets in advance is advisable, especially if you plan to attend specific events at the Herod Atticus Odeon.
Booking in advance ensures you secure your spot and can fully enjoy the experience without the risk of the event’s ticket being sold out.
Featured Image: Wikipedia.org