This unique building reflects the prominent figure of Hadrian, one of the longest-serving emperors of the Roman Empire, who was not only a lover of arts and letters, but also had very specific views on architecture.
The traveller Pausanias has described the building in detail without ever mentioning its actual use, namely that it was a library. It consisted of a monumental rectangular structure with a Corinthian propylon following the trends of Roman architecture, while on the eastern side were the main operational buildings: the book depository, the reading rooms, and the lecture halls.
At that time, people used to read scrolls, parchments and wax tablets, which were used for the temporary copying of texts. The library’s façade featured two wings of Pentelic marble, while, according to Pausanias’ description, in the inner court were a hundred columns of Phrygian marble, a large cistern and a pool that cooled down the space.
The library was inaugurated around 132 AD, when Hadrian visited Athens for the third time, being one of the few emperors to travel around the Empire, in order to get to know the people in their own territory. The Athenians treated him as a deity and honoured him within the Parthenon itself, as he not only protected the city, but oversaw an extensive building programme to revive its lost glory.
Nowadays, only the northern wing of Hadrian’s Library survives, while the southern one has been completely destroyed; nevertheless, it’s still enough to imagine its splendour and magnificence.
Access
3 Areos St
10555, Athens
On foot
2 minutes from “Monastiraki” metro station
By metro
Lines 1 & 3, exit at “Monastiraki” metro station
By bus
Lines 025, 026, disembark at “Monastiraki” stop
By car
9 minutes from Syntagma Square
Opening hours
Summer hours
April 1 – August 31
Daily: 08:00 – 20:00
September 1 – 15
Daily: 08:00 – 19:30
September 16 – 30
Daily: 08:00 – 19:00
October 1 – 15
Daily: 08:00 – 18:30
October 16 – 31
Daily: 08:00 – 18:0
Winter hours
November 1 – March 31
Daily: 08:00 – 15:00
Last admission: 20 minutes before closing time
The site remains closed on the following dates and public holidays: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 & 26.
The site remains closed on the following dates and public holidays: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 & 26.
Tickets
Full: €10,00
Reduced: €5,00
Admission is free on March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September, on October 28, as well as on the first and third Sunday of each month between November 1 and March 31.
Amenities
WC
Accessibility
Contact
Guardhouse of the Archaeological Site of Hadrian’s Library
T: +30 210 3249350
Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens
T: +30 210 9238724, +30 210 9238747
E: [email protected]
