Wind Tower in Athens

Tower of winds in Athens – one of the most recognizable archaeological objects of the Greek capital. In addition, this is also a unique monument that simultaneously combines the functions of the most ancient meteorological station, solar and water watches, and also indicates the direction of the wind. In order to see him at all, it is not necessary to pay honestly earned euros and go to the territory of the Roman Agora. You can explore this monument through the fence from the surrounding streets, we had a complex ticket, which gave us the right to visit Agora, so we did not miss the chance and not only admired the ancient meteorological object of Greece, but also looked inside the legendary tower, studied her drawings , read about her legends and now want to share this information with you.

Wind Tower in Athens

Practical information about the wind tower in Athens

Let’s start the story with useful information: when the wind tower is open to visit, how much is a ticket, where to look at it for free, and only then let’s go to the story and everything else that you love the authors of the site and does not like most of the tourists.

Where is the wind tower of Athens

The tower is located in the heart of the city in the territory of the Roman Agora. It is most convenient to reach it from the Metro Monastiraki. The exact location and coordinates can be seen on the map at the end of the article.

How much does the ticket cost

The wind tower is located on the territory of the Roman Agora, so to consider it close or go inside, you will have to buy a ticket to the territory of the whole complex. Ticket price – € 6 for a full ticket and € 3 will cost a preferential ticket (if you have the right to benefits). You can also get to the Roman Agora of the Complex Ticket.

Territory of Roman Agora

When and how to watch for free

Fortunately, the tower is quite successful that it can be admired, and without visiting the territory of the archaeological monument. It is clear that you will not be able to see what’s inside (you can look at the photo next to us), but believe that there is not worth € 6. Outside it is more attractive.

A great view of the wind tower in Athens opens at the intersection of Pelopida and Aiolou streets (if you go from Starbucks on Metropoleos Street towards Acropolis, then we just drink to the wind tower).

Free view of the wind tower "Due to the fence"

Opposite the free viewing platform, you can still admire the dilapidated gates of the madrasa, by which tourists pass and do not pay any attention, and this, by the way, one of the architectural monuments, undeservedly not mentioned in guidebooks.

The gate of the destroyed madrasa of the XVII century

In addition, you can visit the territory of Agora during open doors: March 6, April 18, May 18, the last day off of September, October 28 and in the winter (01.11-31.03) Each first Sunday.

Opening hours

From a free observation deck you can see the tower at any time if you still want to go to the territory of the Roman Agora and look inside the ancient meteorological station, then this can be done in winter from 8 am to 15.00, in summer to 17.00 (the entrance is stopped 15 minutes before the end of the working day). The territory of Agora will be closed: January 1, March 25, May 1, during the Easter holidays, as well as December 25-26.

History and architecture of the tower

Most historians converge that the wind tower was built in the first century BC, on the project of the famous Greek astronomer Andronik Kirirsky. Astronomer is known to the world not only the wind turbine, in addition to her, among her inventions include a sundial with a dial in the form of a bowl in the temple of Poseidon on the island of Tinos, which, like the tower, are preserved to this day.

Wind Tower in Athens

Despite the fact that the tower of the winds is difficult to call a religious object, she still was dedicated to the pagan goddess – Athena Argementite. The fact is that almost all the facilities built in Antique Greece had their own small temples and were devoted to Greek deities. She received her name thanks to frains carved on her walls, symbolizing eight major winds.

In addition, at the time of antiquity, the dome of the tower was waging a vane in the form of God Triton, which turned against the wind and pointed out his metal rod. The second name of the tower, which can be found in the Greek sources of "Aerids", which literally means "wind". Another name is "Kirryst’s watch", but it is rare enough.

The tower not only helped determine the direction of the wind, but also performed the function of the solar clock. Inside the same tower there were also water clocks (Klepsidra), water in which presumably walked from the source in the Acropolis. In fact, the tower was not only a meteorological object, but also helped the ancient Athenians to determine the exact time regardless of the weather (in clear days on the sun, in cloudy, thanks to Klepsidre). If you still decide to pay for a ticket to Roman Agora and visit the tower, then you really can see little there. Only the channel in the form of a circle has been preserved to this day.

Everything that remains from Klepsidra in the Tower of Winds

The tower has an oct of an oct of 8 meters with a diameter of 8 meters, all sides are focused clearly by stronsts of light, the height of the ancient meteorological station is slightly more than 12 meters. For construction, a snow-white Pentelikon marble was chosen. The weather vane, about which we wrote above did not preserve to the present day, but bas-reliefs at the top of the tower have reached very good condition.

Familiar with Greek mythology will easily determine in images of eight winds: Borea – North Wind, Keki – Northeast, Aphellot – East, Evr – Southeast, Music – South, Lips – South West, Marshmallow – West and Skiron – North -West wind. We, unfortunately, were able to determine which of them who are only with the help of the guide tips.

Borea – North Wind

According to some data, in the early Christian period in the tower there is a baptistery. In the XV century, some sources include it to a complex of buildings of the Eol Temple, there was a bell tower in it, and others are just reported that the church was located inside. It may be like the truth, because at this time there was a Christian cemetery next to the wind tower.

Tower of winds in 1865

Later, during the authorities of the Ottoman Empire (XVIII century), it turned into a debris abode. One of the theories is saying that it is due to the fact that in the tower is located Temia, she was saved from dismantling. If it were not for Dervishi, it was quite possible that we could admire this ancient architectural monument only in the British Museum, where to take it to Lord Eldin, along with Ionian frieze of Parfenon and illegally exported karyatide.

Wind Tower in Athens inside

For its centuries-old existence, the wind tower quite severely left under the ground, during the beginning of archaeological excavations in an ancient agora in the XIX century she was covered nearly half. By the way, at the end of the century, the ancient structure was used as a museum, in which the finds of Roman Agora were exhibited.

Dome of the wind tower from inside

Wind Tower in Athens

At the beginning of the 20th century, the first restoration work was carried out, another restoration was held in 1976. Nowadays, the 22nd century after its construction and 200 years after the excavation tower is open to visitors and looks almost as many thousand years ago.

Aerid in Roman Agore

For his centuries-old history, the wind tower was often "copied". It was she who served as a prototype for the Tower of the same name in Sevastopol, built in 1849, the Radcliffe Observatory at Oxvord University (1794), Wallianos Mausoleum on the Cemetery of West Norwood (1902) and many other well-known constructions in Europe.