The Friends of the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens present a guided tour of the Philopappos Monument, the Pnyx and the walls of Athens
Conducted by Dr Stavros Paspalas
While the Acropolis draws the attention of most visitors to central Athens, there are other highly important remains a short distance away. This tour will visit the hilly ridge to the west of the Acropolis, which is best known today for the funerary monument to Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos which crowns its highest peak. However, in Antiquity this area served a far wider range of uses. The ridge played a central role in the life of democratic Athens and was as important as the Acropolis and the Agora. It also preserves remains of the ancient city walls and offers a fine vantage point to the Peiraieus. Excavations by the Greek Archaeological Service have shown that the area still retains archaeological surprises, as the course of one of the main roads out of Athens has recently been unearthed as well as a cave sanctuary to the god Pan.
Meet at the car park of the Dionysos-Zonar’s Restaurant at the intersection of Rovertou Galli and Dionysiou Areopagitou Streets.
Cost: Members, Euros 10.00 / Guests, Euros 15.00