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Kerameikos

Kerameikos

Kerameikos

Overview

Kerameikos is an ancient cemetery and archaeological site located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens. It was the potters’ quarter of the city in ancient times (the name comes from keramos, meaning “pottery” or “clay”). Besides being a major cemetery, it also hosted important city gates and ritual spaces.

Why Visit Kerameikos?

  • Explore an ancient Athenian cemetery with impressive tombstones and funerary monuments.
  • See the Dipylon Gate, the main entrance to ancient Athens.
  • Walk through parts of the Long Walls, the fortification connecting Athens to its port, Piraeus.
  • Visit the Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos to see artifacts from the site.
  • Experience the blend of funerary, religious, and urban history in one spot.

What to See

1. Dipylon Gate
The monumental city gate built around 478 BC. It was the grand entrance to Athens and the starting point of the Panathenaic procession.

2. Sacred Way
The road from the Dipylon Gate to Eleusis, where the famous Eleusinian Mysteries took place.

3. Tombs and Funerary Monuments
Numerous well-preserved gravestones and stelae showcasing ancient Greek funerary art and inscriptions.

4. Pompeion
A building near the Dipylon Gate where preparations for the Panathenaic festival took place.

5. Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos
Houses pottery, funerary objects, statues, and other finds from the site. A great place to understand the social and religious life of ancient Athens.

Practical Information

  • Location: On Ermou Street, about 1.5 km northwest of the Acropolis.
  • Opening Hours: Usually 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM in summer, shorter hours in winter. (Check current times before visiting.)
  • Entrance Fee: Moderate fee, sometimes combined with other archaeological sites.
  • Getting There: Easily accessible by public transport or on foot from the city center.
  • Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and heat.
  • Tips:
    • Wear comfortable shoes — the terrain is uneven.
    • Bring water and sun protection, especially in summer.
    • Combine with visits to nearby sites like the Ancient Agora or the Acropolis.

Fun Fact

The Panathenaic procession, an important religious and civic event in ancient Athens, began at the Dipylon Gate in Kerameikos.