Areopagus (Mars Hill)
Athens, Greece
A limestone hill located northwest of the entrance to the Acropolis, 115 meters above sea level. In ancient Athens, the council of elders and the supreme criminal court, which decided on murders and religious matters, met here. In 51 AD, the apostle Paul of Tarsus delivered a speech to the Athenians on this rock, commemorated by a bronze plaque embedded at the foot of the stairs. The summit offers views of the Athenian Agora, the Plaka district, and the illuminated columns of the Propylaea after sunset. The marble steps are worn smooth by millions of steps, so caution is advised.
- Visit time: 30 min
- Local name: Άρειος Πάγος
What to look for
- Panorama of the Athenian Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus from the top of the rock
- Bronze plaque with the Greek text of the Apostle Paul's sermon
- View of the illuminated walls of the Acropolis after dark
Before you go
- Best time: At sunset
- Crowds: Moderate during the day, heavy in the evenings
- Note: Slippery rocks, stable footwear required
Good to know
- According to Greek mythology, it was on this rock that the gods judged Ares for killing Poseidon's son.
Sources: thisisathens.org, en.wikipedia.org
How long does it take to visit Areopagus (Mars Hill)?
Plan about 30 min.
Nearby
- Odeon of Herodes Atticus — 170 m
- Acropolis of Athens and Parthenon — 230 m
- Ancient Agora of Athens — 320 m
- Agora Rzymska i Wieża Wiatrów — 340 m
- Pnyks — 370 m
- Acropolis of Athens and Parthenon — 400 m
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