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Stoa of Attalos: A Window into Ancient Athenian Life

Explore ancient Athenian democracy and daily life in this reconstructed stoa and museum, showcasing Agora artifacts and Hellenistic architecture.

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The Stoa of Attalos, a reconstructed ancient marketplace in Athens' Agora, houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora, displaying artifacts that illuminate Athenian democracy and daily life. This impressive two-story building, originally built in the 2nd century BC, offers visitors a glimpse into the heart of ancient Athenian society.

A brief summary to Stoa of Attalos - Museum of the Ancient Agora

Local tips

  • Visit on a weekday morning for a less crowded, more contemplative experience.
  • Allow at least 90 minutes to explore the Stoa and the wider Ancient Agora site.
  • The combined ticket for multiple sites (€30) offers good value if you plan to visit the Acropolis and other ancient sites.
  • Wheelchair access is available via the main entrance to the Ancient Agora, and an elevator provides access to the upper floor of the Stoa.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Monastiraki Metro station, walk east along Adrianou Street for approximately 5 minutes. The entrance to the Ancient Agora, where the Stoa of Attalos is located, will be on your right. The walk is mostly flat and passes through lively lanes with cafes and shops.

  • Public Transport

    Take the Athens Metro to Monastiraki station (Lines 1 & 3). From the station, walk east along Adrianou Street. A single metro ticket costs €1.40 and is valid for 90 minutes. A day pass costs €4.50.

  • Taxi

    Taxis can drop you off near the entrance to the Ancient Agora on Adrianou Street. From Syntagma Square, a taxi ride will cost approximately €4-€6. Ensure the meter is running. There may be a surcharge for luggage (€0.43 per piece).

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Discover more about Stoa of Attalos - Museum of the Ancient Agora

The Stoa of Attalos, located in the Ancient Agora of Athens, is a meticulously reconstructed stoa that serves as a museum showcasing the finds from the Agora excavations. Originally built by King Attalos II of Pergamon between 159 and 138 BC, it was a gift to the city of Athens, where he had studied philosophy. The stoa functioned as a commercial and social hub, a covered walkway where Athenians gathered to socialize and shop. Typical of Hellenistic architecture, the Stoa of Attalos was larger and more elaborate than earlier Athenian buildings. It featured two stories, with the exterior colonnade on the ground floor built in the Doric order and the interior in the Ionic order. The upper floor used Ionic columns on the exterior and Pergamene columns on the interior. Measuring 115 meters in length and 20 meters in width, the stoa housed 21 shops on each floor along its western wall. The building was constructed using Pentelic marble and limestone. The Stoa was destroyed in 267 AD by the Heruli, a Germanic tribe. The ruins were cleared in the late 19th century, and the Stoa was reconstructed between 1952 and 1956 by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, with funding from the Rockefeller family. Today, it houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora, with exhibits primarily focused on Athenian democracy. The museum's collection includes clay, bronze, and glass objects, sculptures, coins, and inscriptions dating from the 7th to the 5th century BC, as well as pottery from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Highlights include a water clock (clepsydra) used for timing speakers in court, ancient ballot boxes, and a bronze Spartan shield. The upper floor exhibition, inaugurated in 2012, showcases Athenian sculptures and offers panoramic views of the Agora, Pnyx, and Acropolis.

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