Roman Forum of Athens

The Roman Agora, also known as the Roman Forum of Athens, was constructed in the 1st century BC as the city’s new commercial center. Its building was financed by Julius Caesar and Roman emperor Augustus, and it was later expanded by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. Today, you can explore the remains of this agora, which include a colonnade, a gateway, and an octagonal tower.

Roman Agora | Quick facts

Official name: Roman Forum of Athens

Location: In Athens’ Plaka neighbourhood; North of the Acropolis Hill and east of the Ancient Agora of Athens

Date of construction: Between 19 BC and 11 BC

Built by: The construction of the Roman Agora was funded by Julius Caesar and Roman emperor Augustus.

Function: Roman marketplace and civic center

Plan your visit to the Roman Agora of Athens

Timings:
April 1 to August 31: 8am to 8pm
September 1 to 15: 8am to 7:30pm
September 16 to 30: 8am to 7pm
October 1 to 15: 8am to 6:30pm
October 16 to 31: 8am to 6pm
November 1 to March 31: 8am to 3pm

Last entry: 20 minutes before closing time

Closed on: January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, December 25 and 26.

Address: Polignotou 3, Athina 105 55, Greece

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What to see at the Roman Agora

The Agora

The Roman Agora was built in the layout of a peristyle – a large open-air rectangular courtyard bordered by a row of columns along its perimeter. It was surrounded by stoas, storerooms, and had shops on the eastern side. A fountain was built on its southern side.

Gate of Athena Archegetis

This was the monumental western entrance to the Roman Agora. Made of Pentellic marble, it features a row of four Doric columns. The people of Athens dedicated this entrance to the goddess Athena, the patron goddess of the city.

The Tower of the Winds

The Tower of the Winds was an octagonal tower built in the 2nd century BCE. It contained a water clock, a sundial, and a weather wane. The top of the tower was encircled by intricate marble reliefs of wind gods.

East Propylon

This was the second monumental entrance to the Roman Forum, located on its eastern side. It had a row of four Ionic columns and was made of grey Hymettian marble.

Fethiye Djami

This was an Ottoman mosque constructed in the mid-15th century AD on top of the ruins of an early Christian basilica. Today, it has been restored and now hosts temporary cultural exhibitions.

Vespasianae

The site of Roman Agora has the remains of the Vespasianae, or the public toilets, which date back to the 1st century AD. They were housed in a rectangular building, which had an antechamber, a square hall, and a sewage pipe running underneath.

Frequently asked questions about Roman Agora tickets

How can I visit the Roman Forum in Athens?

You can visit the Roman Agora with a combo ticket like the Acropolis + 6 Archaeological Sites of Athens multipass ticket. Apart from the Roman Agora, it includes access to the Acropolis of Athens and 5 other archaeological sites in the city.

Where can I buy Roman Agora tickets?

To visit the Roman Agora, you can purchase Acropolis tickets online.

When was the Roman Agora built?

The Roman Forum was built between 19 BC and 11 BC. Other structures were added later, up to the Ottoman period in the 15th century AD.

What was the function of the Roman Forum?

The Roman Agora served as the commercial center of Athens during the Roman Empire. It had shops, storerooms, and stalls selling all kinds of goods and provisions. People also used it as a gathering place to meet and discuss issues.