Arch of Hadrian
Arch of Hadrian is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Athens audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~20 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type monument
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Athens Athens guide
About Arch of Hadrian
A marble arch that argues with itself, one inscribed face declaring the city of Theseus and the other the city of Hadrian, with scholars still debating what it meant.
The Arch of Hadrian is a monumental gateway built entirely of Pentelic marble, erected around 131 AD, probably to mark the dedication of the adjacent Temple of Olympian Zeus. It stands about 18 metres high and 13.5 metres wide and spans an ancient road that led from the older centre of Athens toward the Olympieion and Hadrian's new quarter of the city. The structure has two levels: a Roman-style single arched gateway below and a Corinthian colonnaded upper storey above that originally framed statues.
The arch carries two inscriptions, one on each face. The north-west side, facing the Acropolis, reads 'This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus', while the south-east side, facing the Olympieion, reads 'This is the city of Hadrian, and not of Theseus'. The precise meaning is debated: an older view held that it marked a boundary between the old city and Hadrian's new extension, but no city wall was found on this line. The arch had no defensive function and was a purely honorific, ornamental monument.
Did you know? The two inscriptions survive in the original Greek. The Acropolis side reads AID' EISIN ATHENAI THESEOS H PRIN POLIS, and the temple side answers AID' EIS' ADRIANOU KOUCHI THESEOS POLIS.
How long should you spend at Arch of Hadrian?
Plan about ~20 min at Arch of Hadrian. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Arch of Hadrian worth visiting?
Arch of Hadrian is one of the 35 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Athens, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Athens
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Arch of Hadrian and read more:
Day 2 of the Athens in 2 days itinerary →Day 2 of the Athens in 3 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Arch of Hadrian
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