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The seats of Pnyx, a place of gathering for Athenians.

©efesenko/Getty Images

Hill of the Pnyx

Athens


North of Filopappou Hill, this hill was the official meeting place of the Democratic Assembly in the 5th century BC – really, the first site of democracy. You can see the speakers' steps, where the great orators Aristides, Demosthenes, Pericles and Themistocles addressed assemblies. (More recently, politicians have used it for photo ops.) The hill is often empty, save for birds, and its view of the Acropolis' front steps gives a real sense of the temples' centrality to ancient Athenian life.


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1. Hill of the Nymphs

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Northwest of Hill of the Pnyx, this hill is home to the old Athens observatory, built in 1842.

2. Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris

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At the foot of Filopappou Hill, this 16th-century church may not be the oldest in Athens, but it is certainly one of the loveliest, with a heavy timber…

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4. Socrates' Prison

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On the slopes of Filopappou Hill, follow the path to this warren of rooms carved into bedrock. It's said to have been the place Socrates was imprisoned in…

5. Areopagus Hill

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This rocky outcrop below the Acropolis has great views over the Ancient Agora. According to mythology, it was here that Ares was tried by the council of…

6. Herakleidon Museum Building B

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8. Acropolis Main Entrance

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The main Acropolis entrance is used by tour groups so can be very busy. Come here for the disabled accessible lift.