Ancient Agora
The Temple of Hephaestus is located in the Ancient Agora which was a site that was once a gathering place and marketplace for the people in ancient times. The many layers of civilization built upon the Agora are still under excavation. The Agora is located southeast of the Acropolis on Adrianou Street. There is a nominal entrance fee.
The Temple of Hephaestus
The Temple of Hephaestus is very unique in that it has upheld through time. Furthermore, this temple is still completely standing. Originally built in 450 BC and dedicated to Hephaestus, God of many craftsmen, including blacksmiths, carpenters, and sculptors. In addition, Hephaestus is also the God of fire and volcanoes.





Used as a temple until 7 AD when it became the Church of St George Akamas until 1834. From 1834 to 1930’s Temple of Hephaestus was used as a museum. After that, it was restored to it’s original form as we see it today. The temple is reminiscent of the Parthenon and Temple of Zeus with the large Doric Style Columns.



Around the Temple of Hephaestus
The area around the Temple of Hephaestus is lush and green, like walking through a garden. Nice and shady on such a hot day. You will also enjoy nice views of the Acropolis.

The Stoa of Attalos
The Strata of Attalos was located in the Agora area and was a covered patio type building. It was a marketplace with many shops in it, Built between 159 to 138 BC as a thank you to Athens from King Attalos of Permagon (an ancient city in Greece). However, the Stoa fell to ruin after being destroyed in 257 AD and after that was used as a defensive wall. Restoration and rebuilding occurred in the mid 1950’s and houses the Ancient Agora Museum.


Statues in the Ancient Agora Museum
You can see various statues throughout the Temple. Unfortunately, some are missing heads, and in contrast, there are also heads missing bodies.





Church of the Holy Apostles
Near the Temple is The Church of the Holy Apostles which is an Orthodox Church that dates back to the 10th century.



Time to Relax
Overall, exploring the Temple of Hephaestus was fun. We would have liked to explore the Agora more, but it was getting late in the afternoon. Regardless, we were ready to take time and relax and enjoy the rooftop pool at our hotel where we watched the sunset.

Where We Stayed in Athens
In Athens we stayed at the Electra Palace Hotel which is in the Plaka area of Athens and within walking distance of everywhere we went. The hotel has beautiful views of the Acropolis. The breakfast buffet was delicious with lots of variety. I do believe what I enjoyed most was the location and how easy it was to get around the area just by walking. You can book here if you would like to stay here while in Athens.

Planning
Last year when we were in Athens we used the Rick Steves Pocket Athens guidebook and found a lot of useful information in it. There is also a pocket map.
This year we added Top 10 Athens (DK Eyewitness Travel Guide) to help us plan and found it extremely helpful and organized. It includes top 10 places for restaurants, things to see, shopping, etc. It also divides into top 10 of each area. This is my favorite guide book. It does come with a pocket map.
We also bought an Athens Street Map which was more in-depth and very useful as we explored more areas on this trip.
Follow me on Instagram!!!!
You can check out my other Athens posts by following these links!
Five Great Places to Eat in Plaka, Athens, Sept/Oct 2019
Anafiotika in Plaka, Athens, October 2019
Sunrise from Lycabettus Hill, October 2019
Sunrise From Philopappos Hill, September 2019
Arriving in Athens on our Anniversary, September 2019
The Acropolis and Parthenon, October 2018
A Rainy Day in Athens, September 2018
Diary of a Gen-X Traveler contains affiliate links, including Amazon. This means I get a small commission for each qualifying purchase through my links at no charge to you. Thank you!
It has been 35 years since we were last there. Thanks for the memories. Allan
You are welcomed! Time to go back??!!??
Cool photos. I was a history major in College, so…really enjoying your blog.
I’m glad you are enjoying! I really love the history in Greece. I hope to get to Italy some day as well!
Love the sunset photo. I hope to visit Greece some day. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I hope you to Greece! Thanks for reading!
Looks beautiful. I’ve never been to Greece before, but have always wanted to visit after taking a Greek mythology course in school. Sounds like a place with such a rich history.
That sounds like an interesting course! I have been learning a bit about the mythology but there is a a lot to learn!!
great pictures, but where are the ones of the food and drink?! 🙂
Well, it’s not because we weren’t well fed! I have one more post on Athens and then I’m going to post about my favorite places to eat in Athens so there will be food and drink there!! Then I’m on to South Carolina!!
look forward to the next update!
Amazing histories! Love seeing & hearing how a grand structure withstands both time & the changing uses people put it through! ❤️
I agree! I find these ancient buildings so fascinating!
Still never been to Athens but your photos look incredible and the history is truly fascinating isn’t it? I think I would have to gen up on greek mythology and history before I visited though to get the most out of my trip.
I agree that the history is fascinating, I’m slowly learning some of the Greek mythology and it is interesting.
Beautiful !
It is!!
As you rightly pointed out, there exist a very few structures built before Christ, which are standing intact till date. The Temple of Hephaestus and Stoa of Attalos are remarkably well preserved. Thank you Madam for sharing.. 😊