This 5,000-seat theatre was built in 161 AD and funded by Herodes Atticus, a wealthy Greek aristocrat, to honour his late wife. Being a popular venue for concerts even today, it saw performances of famous artists like Elton John and Andrea Bocelli.
The theatre was first destroyed only about a century after the construction was finished, during an attack of the Heruli on Athens. At this time, it lost its roof, which was never restored. It remained in ruins during the Ottoman occupation but underwent several reconstructions since then. Last extensive reconstruction in 1953 paved the way to the reopening of the theatre for public concerts. They have been taking place here again since 1957.
In the last 50 years, the theatre has hosted performances by the Athens Festival. Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, and also the Athens State Orchestra performed here. Visit the site during summer if you want to catch one of the many events taking place here.
You can enter the theatre with a ticket to a performance. Otherwise, you can see it on your way up to Acropolis.
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odeon_of_Herodes_Atticus
Official website http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=6622
Address Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens 10556, Greece
Coordinates 37°58'15.034" N 23°43'28.542" E
