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Hadrian’s Library is an important archaeological site in Athens, Greece. It’s located in Monastiraki just south of Monastiraki Square.
Visiting Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library is easily seen from outside the site. If you’re curious (like me), you should enter to learn much more about the library, get closer to the foundations of some early Christian churches, and visit the small museum to see important finds from the excavations. From April 1 through October 31, admission is at the full rate of €6, and from November 1 through March 31, admission is at a 50% reduced rate of €3 (as of July 2024). Upon presentation of a passport or valid travel document: all visitors up to the age of 5 and EU citizens from age 6-25 are admitted free of charge; and EU seniors over age 65 and non-EU citizens from age 6-25 are admitted at the 50% reduced rate (summer months only). Check the official website for more info.
You can also visit on a €30 combo ticket that allows access to several other archaeological sites in Athens, including the Acropolis (as of July 2024). The combo ticket is only worth buying in the summer season.
History of Hadrian’s Library
Roman Emperor Hadrian was a philhellene and frequently visited Athens during his reign. He founded the library in 132. Hadrian also expanded the Roman Agora, completed the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and constructed many other buildings in the city.
Hadrian’s Library was destroyed in 267 by the Heruli. It was rebuilt between 407 and 412 by Roman prefect Herculius. During the Middle Ages, it was converted to a bazaar and became the city’s financial center. During Ottoman rule it was the seat of the Ottoman governor, and in 1835, a military barracks was built on the site of the governor’s palace.
On August 9, 1884, an arson attack incinerated over 100 small shops located at the bazaar and also destroyed Megali Panagia (see below). This paved the way for archaeological excavations to start the following year under the Archaeological Society of Athens. They were led by Greek archaeologist Stefanos Koumanoudis (1818-1899) and German archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld (1853-1940). Further investigations took place in 1950 under Greek archaeologist Ioannis Travlos (1908-1985).
Architecture of Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library consisted of high outer walls with protruding niches on the long sides. There was a large inner courtyard measuring 100 x 70 meters surrounded by a colonnaded peristyle. A decorative oblong pool sat in the center of the courtyard.
Propylon
The entrance to Hadrian’s Library was through a propylon on the western side. It featured a stairway and a porch supported by Corinthian columns.
Church of Saint Asomatos
In the 12th century, the small Church of Saint Asomatos was built by the noble Chalkokondyli family against the western façade to the left of the propylon. It was nicknamed Sta Skalia, which translates to on the steps, and was renovated in 1576 by Michael Chalkokondylis. The narthex fell into disuse at the beginning of the 18th century and the church was demolished in 1843.
All that’s left of the church are frescoes on the library’s façade depicting the Prayer in Gethsemane, the Betrayal of Judas, and faces of saints.
Tetraconch Church
During the Late Roman and Byzantine periods, three churches were built in the courtyard of Hadrian’s Library. The first was a monumental tetraconch church constructed in the 5th century. It was commissioned by either Roman prefect Herculius or Aelia Eudocia (c. 401 – 460), the Athenian wife of Roman Emperor Theodosius II. The only remaining part of that church is a section of a floor mosaic with floral patterns.
The tetraconch church had a central hall with a semicircular apse on all four sides. On the west side was a narthex with three gates providing access to the central hall. There was also an atrium with galleries on three sides. It was in ruins by the end of the 6th century, and was replaced by the second church, a three-aisled basilica, in the 7th century.
Megali Panagia
Megali Panagia, a large cross-shaped domed church, was constructed at the end of the 11th or early 12th century. It was probably the first cathedral of Athens. Megali Panagia burned down in the aforementioned fire in 1884. Fragments of the church can be seen in the Byzantine Museum.
Main East Room
The main east room of the library was rectangular and opened to the courtyard with five large portals. It was 2 or 3 stories high and had 40 total niches with wooden cupboards containing books. There were 16 niches on the eastern wall and 12 niches each on the side walls. There was a capacity for at least 17,000 parchments. Wide arched niches on the east wall probably held statues of Athena and the Roman emperor. The floor was covered with marble and there were marble slabs on the walls. Two small side rooms were probably used for reading and transcription.
Auditoria
Two small auditoria sat on either side of the main east room. They were used for lectures and text readings. They had marble seats accessed via a staircase on either side as well as curved seats of honor. The floor was covered with marble and there were marble slabs on the walls.
Today, only the north auditorium is visible. The south auditorium is covered by modern Adrianou Street and the building at the corner of Adrianou and Aiolou.
Museum at Hadrian’s Library
Finally, in the small museum, a Roman statue of Nike from the 1st century BC is on display among other artifacts excavated at the site.
