Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Peaceful walk among the ancient ruins
- Remarkable museum
Time required: 90 minutes
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| April 1 - Oct 31, daily: | 8am - 8pm |
| Nov 1 - March 31, daily: | 8:30am - 3pm |
| Public holidays: | Closed |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| General: | 2 € |
| Reduced: | 1 € |
Public transport:
- Green Metro Line: Thissio station
Address: Ermou 148, Thissio
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: Shadowgate
Things you need to know:
- Kerameikos used to be ancient Athens' pottery district. The word 'ceramic' stems from the name of the district, Kerameikos
- The ancient Athens' outer city wall (built in 478 BC) ran through the district. It was built in haste and all materials that could be found in the city, including marble from temples and tombs, were incorporated
- Athens' main entrance, the Dipylon Gate, stood here. It was a so-called corridor gate: a long interior court (41 by 22 m) with four towers acting as death trap to attackers
- The lera Odos ('Sacred Road') passed through the Sacred Gate gate. The sacred road led to Demeter's temple (goddess of harvest and fertility) in ancient Eleusis
- Along the road important statesmen and heroes were buried beneath imposing tombs. Highlight is the tomb of Dionysios of Kollytos with a marble bull
- The Oberlander Museum displays a wild range of finds from the area. The collection includes many of the original tombs
What to do there:
- Enter the museum that houses exhibits mainly related to burial customs, such as urns and monuments
- Walk around the site littered with ancient remains
Tips & Insights:
- Save some money by buying a combined ticket that gives access to Akropolis, Agora, Roman Forum, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Kerameikos
