Roman Agora Thessaloniki: Ruins of Ancient Marketplace
One of the sights in Thessaloniki, left out in the open free for all to see is the Roman Agora. You will need tickets to enter the forum and the museum. Ancient Agora, Greek Agora, Roman Agora (market place), Ancient Forum – So many names to this Roman Forum!
After a restful night and sumptuous breakfast at Hotel Amalia of Thessaloniki we, foot warriors, set out to conquer the Roman ruins in lens.
Roman Agora Thessaloniki – History
Standing at the edge of this ancient market place I tried to imagine how chaotic this place must have been when constructed and set up in 2nd century AD. And this was laid on foundations of an even older forum dating from early Imperial Times.
This forum definitely held a place of importance then. Today, in the 21st century too the buildings surrounding this heritage site indicate that the place still holds importance for the city of Thessaloniki. It is an ‘old meets the new’ kind of place.
This was where people met to conduct business transactions, like we do in hotels today. This was the venue for government functions, social interactions and theatrical performances.
Roman Agora Thessaloniki Ruins
Remnants of Ancient Agora
Entire complex was arranged around a rectangular paved square. There were porticos on three sides of this Square. Each portico consisted of a double row of columns and provided direct access to a surrounding zone of public buildings.
The southern portico stood on a vaulted substructure called cryptoporticus. It is a double arcade which lay partly underground, making use of the natural slope of the land.
To the south, along the whole of the cryptoporticus, lay a row of shops fronting the ancient shopping street which ran along the north side of present day Philippou St. of Thessaloniki.
Odeum of the Forum
Here is a picture of the large Odeum (theatre) on the east side of the Forum. The seating arrangement seemed in good condition. Romans enjoyed musical and theatrical performances and gladiatorial games in this theatre until the 6th century.
Today this theatre has been restored and is occasionally used for concerts. What an experience it must be to sit in one of those seats and watch a performance.
The theater at the Roman Agora
Underground Forum Museum
I guess, out of enthusiasm we were too early. A desperate tourist scaled the short walls and went exploring the place. He definitely got better pictures.
The site could have been easily toured in an hour but it was closed, we could just go around the shut site taking pictures. The underground Forum museum here is worth a visit I have read. Coins, sculptures, glass and golden artifacts retrieved while excavating the area are displayed in this museum. There are beautiful arches, cloisters and well preserved semi subterranean corridors.
Lone Tourist inside the closed site.
Discovery of Roman Forum Thessaloniki
The site was accidentally discovered and excavated in 1966. They stumbled on ancient treasures here. Large number of silver coins, stone and marble sculptures that were found here are displayed in the museum. Only the theater and one lone column too seemed to be in a good condition, rest of the ruins looked scattered beyond recognition.
Tips to Tour the Roman Agora
The forum is an open uneven area with little shade. On a hot day it is advisable to have your own water bottle, a hat and sturdy shoes.
Open Timings and Tickets
It is open from 8.30am-4pm (Wed-Mon), with an entry fee of 4 euros. (Please check the tickets charges when you plan.)
I think this place is featured in some movie. Gives the look of deserted war site…I think movie : Saving private Ryan.
I like this series. So many pictures, such history…. Liked the pictures as usual. Wish the site was open.
Would get treated to some more pictures.
wonderful
Loved the pics.
Thank you friends for the lovely comments. 🙂
Hi Mridula, this site is in Thessalonki and not in Athens.
Lovely ruins. Nice post.
Awesome pictures that remind of the beauty of architecture and glory.
Replete with ancient history! great photos!
And how the city grew around it too! I was in Athens a long long time ago but didn't see this.
Wow! Surprising is that the ancient architectures are timeless!
Nice post and nice photographs. Can you post more photographs of this place? saying this because i want to see more.
Beautiful Photographs!
Wonderful pictures of the Roman Agora Indarni ji !Great captures!!Thank you for sharingthese amazing clicks
Anything Greek is bound to be wonderful! So is this!
Wow ! 2000 year old ruins accidentally discovered.
Beautiful captures..
Looks like a neat ruins to explore. Wonderful collection of photos!
that looks cool and great 🙂
Wonderful! Loved The theater. Imagining how audience would have enjoyed the show there.
Fantastic photos Indrani… how wonderful it is that you travel to so many places.
Fascinating. Makes me wonder what exists right below us. Layers of culture.
Greece were new and old mix so wonderfully. A lovely collection of pictures.
Wow – an amazing mix of old and new! That old is very old.
Past and present mixed very well.:)
First thing that I would like to say is that, seeing these photographs and reading about it on your blog the desire in my heart to travel around gets even more intensified. And the second thing is that these are again some great captures. 🙂
Hello Indrani!!
Wonderful pictures of the Roman Agora!Great captures!!Thank you for sharing!Have a lovely week!
Dimi…
More beautiful captures from Greece, Indrani, and I have enjoyed this series SO much!! As I've told you, my husband and I spent a fantastic two weeks there many years ago. It was particularly fun for him because he had participated in the Olympic Games in Tokyo and was a silver medal winner, so getting to visit the original Olympic site was very special — for us both!!
the archways are very cool! what neat ruins.
Wonderful site 🙂