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Kerameikos
Athens
Kerameikos is an archaeological site in Northwest Athens and was historically where the potters settled in the city. Kerameikos means 'potter' in Greek and this was certainly the main centre of production for all pottery and vase-ware within Athens in historic times. The heavy settlement in Kerameikos was due to the natural clay deposits found in this area on the banks of the river that runs through the site.
There are also Ancient tombs in the Kerameikos area that date from the Bronze Age, as a place of burial for the potters who lived in the area. The cemetery was used throughout the Archaic periods (700-840 BC) up until the early Christian period (until approximately 500 AD). As excavations continue the site is growing outwards.
Today visitors to Kerameikos can see the tombs themselves that were uncovered in the 1960's digs as well as lots of artefacts discovered within the complex. These buildings are being extensively restored to their former glory by conservationists and archeologists. The construction of an amphitheatre and a more visitor based layout were completed in 2004, so now the site is both family and child-friendly.
Admission Fee
Full: €4, Reduced: €2
Special ticket package: Full: €12, Reduced: €6
Valid for: Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Agora of Athens, Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, Museum of the Ancient Agora, North slope of Acropolis, South Slope of Acropolis
Operating Hours
Summer Period (01/04 - 31/10): 8am - 8pm
Winter Period (01/11 - 31/03): 8:30am - 3pm Monday from 8am until 11am the Museum is closed.
Public Holidays
1st January: closed
6th January: 8:30am - 3pm
Shrove Monday: 8:30am - 3pm
25th March: closed
Good Friday: until 12pm closed
Holy Saturday: 8:30am - 3pm
1st May: closed
Easter Sunday: closed
Easter Monday: 8:30am - 3pm
Holy Spirit Day: 8:30am - 3pm
28th October: 8:30am - 3pm
25th December: closed
26th December: closed
Free Admission Days
6th March, in memory of Melina Mercouri
5th June, International Environment Day
18th April, International Monuments Day
18th May, International Museums Day
The last weekend of September annually, European Heritage Days
Sundays in the period between 1st November and 31st March
National Holidays
The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August and September (when the first Sunday is holiday, then the second is the free admission day)
27th September, International Tourism Day
Free admission for
Journalists
Members of the ICOM-ICOMOS
Persons possessing a free admission card
Persons under 19
Soldiers carrying out their military service
Tour guides
University students from Greece and the EU