Things to See in Athens – Theatre of Herodes Atticus & Theatre of Dionysos, Acropolis

On the southern slope of the Acropolis lie two ancient theatres. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a spectacular Roman theatre and the smaller of the two. Herodes Atticus built the Odeon in 161 AD in honour of his wife Regilla. She passed away a year earlier. The odeon seats approximately 5,000 people and was used as a theater during the ancient Athens period for various plays and music concerts. Today, it is still being used as a theatre and each year the Festival of Athens is held here.

On the southern cliff face of the Acropolis is the larger Theatre of Dionysos. It was the first temple built of stone and famous playrights like Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes all had their plays performed here.

Helen