Arch of Hadrian

Welcome to the Arch of Hadrian, a monumental gateway that stands as a literal bridge between two eras of Athenian history. Built in 131 or 132 CE, this triumphal arch was likely constructed to celebrate the arrival of the Roman…

The most fascinating features of the arch are the two inscriptions carved into the architrave above the central opening. They tell a story of geographical and political division. …

The Arch of Hadrian is constructed entirely from Pentelic marble, quarried from Mount Pentelicus to the north of Athens. This is the same marble used for the Parthenon and most of the city's great monuments. …

While the lower part of the arch is a traditional arched gateway, the upper tier is much more complex and purely decorative. It consists of three distinct 'aediculae,' or small temple-like structures. …

In the 18th century, the Arch of Hadrian took on a new and much more utilitarian role. In 1778, the Ottoman governor of Athens, Haseki, built a defensive wall around the city to protect it from Albanian raiders. …

The Arch of Hadrian occupies a unique place in the modern urban fabric. It sits at the edge of the historic Plaka district, just across from the lush National Garden, and right on the edge of the roaring Amalias Avenue. …

For many visitors, the primary attraction of the Arch of Hadrian is the 'framed view.' If you stand on the southeast side of the arch and look through its central opening toward the northwest, the Acropolis hill and the Parthenon…

As we conclude our visit to the Arch of Hadrian, take a final look at this elegant structure. It is a monument to a man who loved a city that was not his own, and a city that allowed itself to be reshaped by that love. …