Roman Agora of Athens

The ruins of the Roman Agora of Athens are located near Monastiraki. It was built at the end of the 1st century BC, with a donation from Julius Caesar and Augustus in order to become the center of the city's economic activity. Later, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, it was renovated and expanded. Characteristic and recognizable points of the area are "The Horologion of Kyrristos" or "Tower of the Winds" and the Western Gate, which is preserved in good condition. But what distinguishes it from the respective Agora of the Classical Ages is that it was designed and built from the beginning for economic and commercial purposes. After the invasion of the Heruli and the destruction of the city, at the end of the 3rd century AD, the economic activities in the Roman Agora were limited within the well-known Late Roman fortification wall. In the following centuries, during the Byzantine, Frankish and Turkish periods, houses, workshops, Christian churches and the Fethiye Mosque were built on the site. The economic activity in its premises continued until the period of the Turkish rule, where it was known as Staropazaro because wheat and other agricultural products were stored there.