Ancient Theatre, Ancient Agora and Heraion of Argos: Iconic monuments of a historic city

The centuries-old town of Argos hides many secrets, the most important of which is certainly its theatre, which was considered a great architectural achievement of the ancient world. Carved onto the hillside during the 4th century BC, it had a capacity of 20,000 people and was directly connected to the ancient Agora, just across the street.

Argive Heraion was the Argos’ ancient religious centre, located 8km outside of town. If we are to believe Homer, it was in this sanctuary that Agamemnon was chosen to lead the Argives in the Trojan War.

Although nowadays it would probably be considered low-key compared to other archaeological sites, despite the impressive staircase and the wide horizon, the Heraion preserves traces of the piety of those who worshipped the austere goddess Hera, the patron deity of Argos. Her first temple has been completely destroyed, but the second, erected around 420-410 BC and originally housing a chryselephantine statue of the goddess, survives at foundation level.