Tower of the Winds, Athens
The most remarkable structure within the Roman Forum complex, this exquisite octagonal marble tower, standing 12 meters tall, served a dual purpose as a horologion鈥攅ssentially a "timepiece"鈥攁nd is often regarded as the world's earliest meteorological station. Featuring a combination of sundials, a water clock, and a wind vane, it is attributed to a Syrian Greek astronomer from around 50 BC, although some sources suggest it might have been built in the 2nd century BC prior to the rest of the Forum.
Below the frieze, which portrays the eight wind deities鈥擝oreas (North), Kaikias (Northeast), Apeliotes (East), Eurus (Southeast), Notus (South), Lips (Southwest), Zephyrus (West), and Skiron (Northwest)鈥攜ou can observe the eight sundials. Meanwhile, within the tower's interior, there was once a complex water clock, or clepsydra, driven by water piped down from the Acropolis. Recent research has revealed that the tower's considerable height was intentional, as it aimed to position the sundials and wind vane at a visible elevation within the Agora, essentially making it an early prototype of a clocktower.
Ironically, during the early Christian era, the building served as the bell-tower for an Eastern Orthodox church. Under Ottoman rule, it was repurposed as a 'tekke' and used by whirling dervishes for their meditative dances. During this time, it was partially buried, with visible traces of this alteration found within the interior, featuring Turkish inscriptions on the walls.
Admission to the site is included in the ticket price for visiting the Roman Agora or is covered by the Acropolis combination ticket.
Below the frieze, which portrays the eight wind deities鈥擝oreas (North), Kaikias (Northeast), Apeliotes (East), Eurus (Southeast), Notus (South), Lips (Southwest), Zephyrus (West), and Skiron (Northwest)鈥攜ou can observe the eight sundials. Meanwhile, within the tower's interior, there was once a complex water clock, or clepsydra, driven by water piped down from the Acropolis. Recent research has revealed that the tower's considerable height was intentional, as it aimed to position the sundials and wind vane at a visible elevation within the Agora, essentially making it an early prototype of a clocktower.
Ironically, during the early Christian era, the building served as the bell-tower for an Eastern Orthodox church. Under Ottoman rule, it was repurposed as a 'tekke' and used by whirling dervishes for their meditative dances. During this time, it was partially buried, with visible traces of this alteration found within the interior, featuring Turkish inscriptions on the walls.
Admission to the site is included in the ticket price for visiting the Roman Agora or is covered by the Acropolis combination ticket.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Athens. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Tower of the Winds on Map
Sight Name: Tower of the Winds
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Athens, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Athens
Creating your own self-guided walk in Athens is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Athens Food Walking Tour
Traditional Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world, and prices in all but the flashiest establishments afford excellent value. The prevalence of vegetable and dairy dishes makes eating out a delight for non-meat eaters. Carefully selected appetizers (tzatz铆ki, dolm谩des, kalamar谩kia) can constitute a full meal. Greece鈥檚 most famous slow-cooked oven dish, however, is probably... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Athens Introduction Walking Tour
Athens, the cradle of Western Civilization and one of Europe's oldest cities, originated between the 4th and the 3rd millennia BC. The story of Athens stems from a mythological contest between the goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena, and the god of the sea, Poseidon. Both deities vied to become the city's patron. Poseidon's gift of a saltwater spring was deemed impractical,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Walking Around the National Garden
The National Garden is an impressive, historic park in the center of Athens, complete with artificial streams and duck ponds. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it was commissioned by King Otto鈥檚 queen, Amalia, in 1838, reason why it is located directly behind the Old Palace (currently the Greek Parliament building). Not only is it a welcome refuge from the swirl of traffic just outside the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis
Also called "the sacred rock", the Acropolis was home to temples and sanctuaries throughout recorded history, and is a symbol of the city of Athens. Its religious importance was paramount to the ancient Greeks, and the buildings on the summit still capture the essence of their classical architecture. You can see the temples from most parts of the city, which adds to the feeling that this... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Plaka Attractions Walking Tour
In the shadow of the Acropolis stands Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens, with continuous habitation from antiquity until today. The 鈥渘eighborhood of the Gods鈥�, as it is called, is like a romantic, atmospheric trip to old Athens adorned with antiquities, historic 19th-century buildings, museums and Byzantine churches.
From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
A Self-Guided Food Walk in Athens
Just as many things in Greece, dining in Athens is very much laid-back with the majority of local eateries seeing patrons begin to congregate for dinner only after 8 pm. Eating-wise, the Athenians favor simplicity, leaning to the more casual and not so pricey tavernas where food is plentiful. To...
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