Arch of Hadrian

The Arch of Hadrian is an 18-metre-high ancient marble gateway on the edge of Athens' old town, slotted between the Plaka district and the precinct of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It was raised in 131-132 AD to honour the visit of Emperor Hadrian, marking the boundary between the old Greek city and the new Hadrianopolis quarter the emperor had endowed. Inscriptions cut into both sides spell out the division: on the Acropolis side, "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus"; on the temple side, "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus." The arch is built entirely of Pentelic marble and assembled without mortar. It still stands freely beside Vasilissis Amalias Avenue, gateway to the adjoining Olympieion site.