Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Odeon is difficult to miss. Its walls are the first ones you'll see before climbing up to Acropolis. I don't know how much of this wall theatre has stood the test of time and how much of this is a product of restoration.
A little peek at the theatre.
I see someone doing some restoration? I suppose if you work for Acropolis as part of the restoration team, you will have job security.
Info from wiki:
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre structure located on the south slope of the Acropolis of Athens. It was built in 161 AD by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. It was originally a steep-sloped amphitheater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof, and was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000.

The audience stands and the 'orchestra' (stage) were restored using pentelic marble in the 1950s. Since then it has been one of the main venues of the Athens Festival, which runs from June through September each year, featuring a variety of acclaimed Greek as well as International performances; The Odeon has hosted Maria Callas, Maurice Béjart, the Bolshoi Ballets, Karolos Koun, Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hatzidakis, George Dalaras (1988, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008), Haris Alexiou (1994, 2006, 2007, 2009), Marinella (1999, 2008), Dionysis Savopoulos (2004) and many other important artists. It was the venue for the Miss Universe 1973 pageant and hosted Yanni's Live at the Acropolis performance in September 1993. Another memorable performance at the Odeon of Herod Atticus was given by the Greek singer Nana Mouskouri in 1984; after 20 years of absence she returned to her country. In 1957, Edith Hamilton was pronounced an honorary citizen of Athens at ninety years of age.


The information from wiki has made me question this sign posted outside of Acropolis, especially the penultimate bullet. Isn't holding concerts a direct snub on its rule of forbidding "to sing or make loud noises"?

Comments

  1. Interesting 'entry'. Since we entered from the other side (Agoras area) that is my reference for 'entry to the Akropolis'. Our day on and around the Akropolis ended at the Odeon. Like I said before your pictures brings back good memories.

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  2. @Louis - We were let out by the taxi driver that way so that was our point of entry and agora our exit, which turned out good. Sightsee first, then shopping :D

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  3. Impressive. I love the picture of the whole theater. Quite amazing!

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  4. what a spectacular structure, and a beautiful venue. if loud noises and singing are not allowed, why hold concerts here? what if the stone walls crumble in the middle of a performance?! scary!

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  5. It's good that the rules are written in old Greek font! Lol..

    Always nice shots, Maria!

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  6. Wonderful views of the theatre! I enjoy them a lot!

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  7. my type of place and subject. i can spend there an hour just shooting it.

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  8. Great shots of the environs of the Acropolis. We went there in Feb 1998 and there were already a lot of scaffolds. I guess it is a never ending restoration task.

    I've often wondered too how come they stage concerts in that area. All those audio and lighting equipments surely harm the structures.

    Btw great header shot of tulips!

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  9. The font used in the warnings are so apt. The view of the amphitheatre is outstanding!

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  10. I would love to hear a concert here! Your last photo before the sign is awesome.

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  11. I agree with you about the contradiction of the rule, but a concert must be an exception for them.

    Great shots, Photo Cache.

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  12. I was awed when I first saw on video Yanni's concert at the Odeon. The ancient amphitheatre truly added drama to Yanni's kind of music (which I like so much).

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  13. You captured very nicely this impressive place!

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  14. oh well,.,if you holler without tune, that's a definite no-no! so, better have a good tune! ^0^
    the last aerial view foto was fantastic.
    happy to see the place wasn't too crowded.
    just curious, who's the guy on the 1st foto? ^-^
    nice back!

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  15. wow this is one amazing structure! lovin' the floor of the stage. :D

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