Roman Agora

It’s hard to believe this serene archaeological park, with evocative statues scattered among the wildflowers, oak, and olive trees, was once the beating commercial and political heart of ancient Athens. It’s where citizens came to shop, philosophize, pass laws, and make sacrifices to the gods. Fragments of all this whirling activity are on display at the on-site museum, housed in a photogenic colonnade: ballots used to vote, ‘ostraka’ used to ostracize persona non grata, water-clocks used to time speeches, jewelry, and votives buried with the dead. It’s a great place to introduce kids to the real life of the ancient Greeks, as they can run around among the ruins. Don’t miss the amazingly well-preserved Hephaisteion, a Doric temple built in the fifth century B.C.E., whose ornate pediments are sculpted with the labors of Hercules the Theseus. The temple was converted into a Christian church in the 7th century C.E. and later served as a burial ground for philhellenes who died in the Greek War of Independence.

Slave-traders and shoe-menders, jewelers and moneylenders haggled and gossiped at this ancient marketplace the history of which spans five millennia. The Agora was also the stomping ground of rival philosophers Plato and Socrates—the latter was eventually executed right here for “impiety and corrupting youth.” Today, the archaeological park is a calm refuge in the teeming city center. Don’t miss the temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved monuments in Greece.

Sitting away from the Acropolis are the ruins of the ancient Roman Agora (marketplace). Back then, the Romans built this tower to stand as a timepiece for the conquered Athens. It features a combination of sundials, a water clock and a wind vane as instruments to tell time way back then. I just loved how this shot turned out and still show it as a favorite of this trip.

The Athenian food scene is best experienced at the Varvakios Agora. In the mornings the Municipal Market of Athens is alive with locals setting up stalls of meat, fish and local produce. Around the area you can pickup authentic spices, dried fruits, and teas to take home too. In contrast to the loud scene during the day, when the vendors have packed up it grows quiet and becomes a completely different place to explore.

In the Roman Agora by the Tower of the Winds stands this ancient marketplace that isn’t much more than a lovely piece of history worth grabbing a photo of as you pass by.

Any city that has a market is where you should go. You learn more about the culture by visiting and purchasing through the markets. This one in particular, if you visit after noon the prices are lowered. They do this so there will be no left over fish. Some restaurants visit in the morning this way they are guaranteed what is on their menu. Smaller restaurants visit in the afternoon because the price is lower, but the quality is the same. This also explains why some restaurants are out of items on their menu. A good place to shop for fish that has prices lower than at the supermarkets.