Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Athens

The southern slope of the Acropolis is the site of two ancient theaters. The one dedicated to Dionysus is the world's oldest theater built in the 6th century BC. A few meters to the west is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Ωδείο Ηρώδου του Αττικού), built under Roman rule. The Odeon, standing out for its impressive facade, was constructed by Herodes Atticus in memory of his late wife. This majestic semicircular theater holding 5,000 people was inaugurated in 161 AD, but was destroyed a century later. Nowadays, the restored open-air Odeon serves as the city's major theater. The architectural beauty and the location just beneath the Acropolis make it one of the world's most impressive venues for concerts and performances.