Greece is entering a pivotal new chapter in the restoration and long-term preservation of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the iconic Herodeon on the southern slope of the Acropolis in Athens. The Central Archaeological Council has approved a comprehensive protection, restoration and enhancement program for the Roman-era monument, paving the way for one of the most far-reaching conservation initiatives in its modern history.

An interdisciplinary team from the National Technical University of Athens prepared the study that underpins the project. Authorities will use it as the strategic framework for large-scale conservation works, infrastructure upgrades and long-term management policies that aim to safeguard the monument while improving its functionality for visitors and performers.

From Roman odeon to global cultural stage

Herodes Atticus built the theater in 161 AD in memory of his wife, Appia Annia Regilla. The structure originally featured a cedar roof from Lebanon and accommodated around 5,000 spectators. Designers conceived it as a premier venue for musical performances beneath the Acropolis rock.

In 267 AD, the Heruli destroyed the structure during their invasion. The monument lay in ruins for centuries until restoration teams rebuilt the stage and seating with Pentelic marble in the 1950s, bringing the site back to cultural life. Since 1955, the Athens Festival has used the Herodeon as a central venue, hosting leading figures in music, theater and dance.

Maria Callas inaugurated its postwar artistic era in 1957. Over the decades, the stage welcomed Nana Mouskouri, Luciano Pavarotti, Vangelis, Mario Frangoulis and the Foo Fighters, reinforcing the Herodeon’s international cultural profile.

Structural reinforcement and stage modernization in Greece’s herodeon restoration

Engineers placed structural reinforcement at the core of Greece’s Herodeon restoration program, focusing particularly on the stage building. Restoration teams will complete and partially reconstruct selected masonry sections to restore architectural cohesion and improve operational flexibility while respecting the monument’s historic fabric.

Project planners will raise the stage structure to better express its three-dimensional form and support the installation of temporary stage sets during major productions. These measures aim to balance heritage protection with the Herodeon’s demanding cultural schedule.

Teams will secure and fully open the proscenium to visitors, while specialists will restore the arches of the parodoi. Designers also included a new central opening to improve logistical access for large-scale productions during the Athens Epidaurus Festival.

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«Πράσινο φως» από το ΚΑΣ για την αποκατάσταση του Ηρωδείου – Δείτε φωτογραφίες
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Θετική γνωμοδότηση του Κεντρικού Αρχαιολογικού Συμβουλίου για τη β΄ φάση του ερευνητικού προγράμματος του ΕΜΠ στο Ωδείο Ηρώδου Αττικού. Εκτεταμένες…https://t.co/91o5XHhJK9 pic.twitter.com/GJdMkRysMr

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Mosaic protection and Dual-Use functionality

Conservators have prioritized the full revelation of the ancient mosaic floor, allowing visitors to view it outside festival periods. The project introduces a lightweight composite roof that permits natural light while minimizing visual impact. Crews will install integrated covering systems to protect sensitive surfaces during performances.

Managers will operate the stage complex under a dual-use model. During festival season, staff will configure the space with dressing rooms and support facilities. Throughout the rest of the year, visitors will access it as an architectural and archaeological site.

Acoustic safeguards and visitor management in Greece’s Herodeon restoration

Authorities identified acoustic reform as a critical pillar of Greece’s Herodeon restoration strategy. Recent measurements showed that sound levels exceed safe thresholds, raising concerns about long-term structural stress.

Officials will remove speaker towers, prohibit the installation of loudspeakers in sensitive architectural openings and deploy ground-based sound systems instead. They will also implement a formal Acoustic Usage Regulation to guarantee sustained protection of the monument.

Beyond acoustics, engineers will reinforce the main façade walls, restore the geometric coherence of the curved rear wall and continue conserving the marble seating, which endures heavy annual use.

Finally, planners will rehabilitate the ancient Peripatos pathway and the eastern staircase to restore the historic connection between the Herodeon, the Stoa of Eumenes and the wider Acropolis landscape, while reducing pressure on vulnerable archaeological remains.