Treasury of Atreus
Treasury of Atreus features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Nafplio. Give it roughly ~30 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Nafplio Nafplio guide
About Treasury of Atreus
A Mycenaean beehive tomb whose corbelled stone dome was the tallest and widest in the world for over a thousand years, until Rome built the Pantheon.
The Treasury of Atreus is a Mycenaean tholos, or 'beehive', tomb built around 1300 to 1250 BC, not a treasury. It is entered along a long open approach passage, or dromos, about 36 metres long, leading to a tall monumental doorway. The lintel stone over that doorway weighs about 120 tonnes, the heaviest single piece of masonry known from Greek architecture. A relieving triangle above it diverts the wall's weight around the opening, the same device used at the Lion Gate.
The corbelled underground chamber is about 14.5 metres across and 13.2 metres high, built of stone rings that step inward to close the dome. It was the tallest and widest dome in the world for more than a thousand years, until the Roman Pantheon, and it remains the largest corbelled dome. The names 'Treasury of Atreus' and 'Tomb of Agamemnon' are traditional misnomers and cannot be securely linked to either figure. Fragments of its once-decorated facade are now held in the British Museum.
Did you know? For more than a thousand years the tomb held the tallest and widest dome on Earth, a record broken only by the Roman Pantheon. It remains the largest corbelled dome ever built.
How long is a visit to Treasury of Atreus?
Set aside roughly ~30 min for Treasury of Atreus. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Treasury of Atreus worth your time?
Treasury of Atreus is among the 15 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Nafplio, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Nafplio
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Treasury of Atreus and read more:
Day 2 of the Nafplio in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Treasury of Atreus
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