Visit the Library of Hadrian to see an ancient home of knowledge and learning. It is located in ruins just north of the Roman Agora in the heart of historic Athens. Built in A.D. 132 by the emperor of the same name, Hadrian’s Library was once a public square and cultural center containing papyrus books, artworks, lecture halls and an ornate garden.
Walk around the ancient complex and see where the original buildings and landscaped gardens once stood. On the west side you can see the decorative Corinthian columns and grand portico entrance that withstood a number of invasions and remained intact. The walls on the north, south, and east were made of poros limestone, whereas the western wall was constructed from Pentelic marble.
Visit the actual site of the old library, known as the Bibliostasio, and find the niches in the stone where papyrus book rolls once lay. See where archaeologists have discovered the connecting buildings that made up this grand Athenian cultural center. Plaques on the various sites offer informative text in Greek and English.
Three Byzantine churches were also built on the original site, including a basilica and a cathedral. The remains of these structures have been preserved, and if you look closely at the remaining wall of the basilica, you can see small etchings of Catholic icons.
Much of the colossal marble structure can be seen from Areos Street, but you can enter the spacious complex on its eastern side. Monastiraki has its own subway station on Athens’ cheap integrated public transportation system. Entry to the Library of Hadrian site is not expensive, and even cheaper if you purchase an “Acropolis Combo Ticket,” a pass that allows you access to several neighboring major attractions and museums. These tickets can be bought from any of the participating attractions and are a great way to explore the area.
