The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stoneRoman theater structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. The building was completed in 161 AD and then renovated in 1950.

Ancient times

It was built in 161 AD by the Greek Herodes Atticus in memory of his Roman wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. It was originally a steep-sloped theater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof made of expensive cedar of Lebanon timber. It was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000. It lasted intact until it was destroyed and left in ruins by the Heruli in 267 AD.

Modern events

The audience stands and the orchestra (stage) were restored using pentelic marble in the 1950s. Since then it has been the main venue of the Athens Festival, which runs from May through October each year, featuring a variety of acclaimed Greek as well as International performances.

Mario Frangoulis has performed at the historic theatre with Yannis Markopoulos’ and directed by Elias Malandris, Orpheus in 1996 and also played the role of Erotokritos in his work based on Vitsentzos Kornaros’ Erotokritos. He also performed ‘Axion Esti’ poem by Odysseus Elytis music by Mikis Theodorakis and conducted by the composer himself in May 1998 to benefit Elpida foundation for children suffering from cancer. Elton John performed two concerts at the venue during his Medusa Tour in 2000. In June 2008 Sylvie Guillem performed Boléro in company with the Tokyo Ballet as part of the Athens Festival. In September 2010, tenor Andrea Bocelli held a concert at the Odeon to raise funds for cancer research. In the Year 2012 Mario Frangoulis performed the leading role in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana at the Herodes Atticus theater. In 2020 the first art exhibition was held on the site, by Greek artist Dionisis Kavallieratos, entitled ‘Disoriented Dance / Misled Planet’ organized by NEON Organization and the Athens and Epidaurus Festival.