See Also
- Top-Rated Lodgings in Athens
- Places to Stay in Athens
- Top Dining Spots in Athens
- Prime Activities to Enjoy in Athens
- Complete Athens Travel Guide
Tours and Tickets:
•
• Combo Ticket for Athens including Archaeological Sites and Museum (7 sites + Museum, no tour).
Hadrian’s Library Hours and Information
- Hours: Open daily. Summer 8am – 8pm; last entrance to the site at 7:40pm. Hours are reduced gradually in the fall through winter (check website for details). Closed 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 25 & 26 December.
- Website: odysseus.culture.gr
- Location: Κ, Areos 3
- Telephone: +30 210 324 9350
- The Admission Fee during the summer months of April through October is 6€, and 3€ during the winter months of November through March. A reduced fee of 3€ is also available. Alternatively, a 30€ combo ticket can be purchased for this site along with 6 other attractions: the Acropolis, Ancient Agora of Athens, Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Kerameikos, and Aristotle’s Lyceum. The combo ticket is valid for 5 days year-round. Tickets can be purchased on-site or in advance online.
- No Cost Entry: March 6th (honoring Melina Mercouri), April 18th (International Monuments Day), May 18th (International Museums Day), the last weekend in September each year (European Heritage Days), October 28th, the first Sunday of each month from November 1st through March 31st.
- Parking: Street parking, nearby pay lots.
- Nearest Metro: Monastiraki.
Hadrian’s Library in Athens
- Hadrian’s Library is an ancient archaeological site located in the Monastiraki area to the north of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. The closest subway station is Monastiraki, about 50 meters away and directly across from the site.
- It was constructed in 132 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian, who ruled from 117 to 138 AD. This is probably the biggest structure he erected during his reign. The ancient building included a library, as well as music and lecture halls. It basically served as a civic center during Roman times, conveniently located near the nearby Roman Agora (market).
- The library`s western wall, found near the entrance, has undergone restoration work. Beyond this, only a few remnants remain of the original library, including its columns and the entrance framed by 7 surviving Corinthian columns, foundations and walls of a pavilion, and 2 early churches – one believed to be the oldest Christian place of worship in Athens.
- Hadrian was considered a `good` ruler who led justly. While he was devoted to his military and often depicted in uniform, his reign involved relative peace. Hadrian reigned for 21 years, 12 of which were spent touring the Empire, overseeing aspects of governance and justice across various provinces.
- The translation gets the core meaning across, but it`s worth reviewing the site before visiting to fully appreciate the details.
