Spend Time at the Stoa of Attalos Museum in Athens
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Athens is not only the capital of Greece, it’s a city rich in history. As a city that has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years, it’s no surprise there is so much culture and history to explore. The Stoa of Attalos Museum in Athens, Greece is a must-see when you’re visiting this amazing city. Here’s what you should know about the Stoa of Attalos Museum.
About the Stoa of Attalos Museum
The Stoa of Attalos was a covered walkway (also known as a stoa or portico) in the Agora of Athens, which was built by King Attalos II of Pergamon. King Attalos II ruled from 159 BC – 138 BC. The stoa was a gift to the city of Athens from Attalos for the education he received in the city. The Stoa of Attalos was used as a place for Athenians to meet, do business, and walk around. It has two floors and two series of columns, one column on the inside and one on the outside. There were about 21 shops at the back on the upper and lower floors.
The stoa was well-used until it was destroyed in 267 AD by the Heruli, an East Germanic tribe. The ruins of the stoa would then become part of the fortification wall.
During excavations between 1859 – 1902, the stoa was rediscovered. From 1952 – 1956, the stoa would be fully reconstructed. At the same time, the Ancient Agora Museum was created by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The Rockefeller family would help to fund this project. The reconstruction of the stoa was carefully done to be as similar to the original as possible.
The Stoa of Attalos houses the Museum of Ancient Agora with exhibits that are mainly to showcase the Athenian democracy. The collection showcases items that include, but aren’t limited to: bronze and glass objects, sculptures, coins, inscriptions from the 7th century BC – 5th century BC, and pottery. Other displays at the museum include items of public life.
Spend Time at the Stoa of Attalos Museum in Athens
Take the time to admire and wander around the stoa. Thanks to its careful reconstruction, you can get a true feel for the way it looked when the original stoa stood there. Once inside the museum, you can explore the finds from wells, burials, workshops, and sanctuaries.
There are coins dating back to the 6th century BC – 1831 BC, sculptures dating from the 6th century BC – 3rd century AD, and pottery from the 6th century BC – 6th century AD. The museum is laid out in chronological order, so you will begin at the Neolithic era and work your way up to the modern age. The Stoa of Attalos Museum is a wonderful way to learn how the city of Athens developed over time.
The Stoa of Attalos Museum is located in the ancient Agora of Athens. You can get there via public transit, taxi, or car. The Stoa of Attalos Museum is a must-see when visiting Athens, Greece.
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Categorized in: About Athens, Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
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