Athens Amphiareion

Location: Oropos

Situated on the hills, six kilometers from the village of Oropos in the northeastern region of Attica, the Archaeological Site of Amphiareion is one of the least known places of Athens, yet one of the most fascinating ones.
The sanctuary is located at the channel of Charadra, between the regions of Attica and Boeotia. The area is close to the ancient port of Delphinion, quite crowded and busy during antiquity much like the nearby one of Oropos, reportedly one of the oldest Greek cities.

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The sanctuary of Amphiareion dates from the late 5th century BC and was dedicated to the hero Amphiaraos. Amphiaraos was supposedly not born but emerged from a spring near the sanctuary, and was renowned in antiquity as he partook as a leader in the expedition of the Seven against Thebes. Besides his heroic deeds and protection by the grace of Zeus, the heroic Amphiaraos was known for being gifted in dream interpretation and after his death, he was declared a Chthonius deity (meaning one of the underworlds) and was extensively worshiped, with temples dedicated in his honor in numerous locations.

The archaeological site of Amphiareion included a variety of edifices, including:
• The sanctuary, where pilgrims went to ask for oracular responses and seek healing
• The ancient theatre, where visitors would attend the religious and cultural events
• A temple of unusual Doric style dedicated to various deities, (such as Zeus, Aphrodite, heroes and their wives, nymphs as well as certain ones with healing powers such as Hygeia, Panacea and Apollo)
• A stadium, the location of which nowadays remains unknown
• The renowned baths
• The statues and dedication steles, many in honor of Roman rulers and benefactors
• A well-preserved clepsydra, treasured for its time-calculating properties.

The sanctuary of Amphiareion had an outstanding reputation as a place of worship and was frequently visited by major figures and regular citizens from the Greek territory, Asia Minor and Italy alike. The annual festivals, known as the Amphiareian Games, were rather popular and included contests in athletic games, horse races and music.

The worship of Amphiaraos gradually declined due to the expansion of Christianity in the Greek dominion and the sanctuary began to lose its former glory. From 1884 to 1929, systematic excavations conducted by the Archaeological Society brought to light the beauty and silenced secrets of the sacred site, while nowadays it is open to the public and offers a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the magic of the ancient Greek world.

How to get there

Amphiareion is located close to Oropos.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: (0030) 18288, (0030) 18222, (0030) 18180. You can also book your taxi online.

Car rental: There is the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a rental car allows visitors to discover Amphiareion and many other places of interest in Athens at their own pace.