Aristotle's Lyceum Finally Opens Doors To Public

The site, containing the remains of Aristotle's Lyceum, officially opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, and is now ready to receive visitors from 8:00-20:00 every day. According to the state owned ANA/MPA news service, this new and significant addition to the city's archaeological sites, which adds 1.1 hectares of open land to the capital's public spaces, can be accessed either from the entrance on Rigillis Street or from the Byzantine and Archaeological Museum on Vassilisis Sofias Avenue.

The Lyceum was founded by the famous ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle in 334-5 B.C. when his former pupil Alexander the Great had embarked on his wars of conquest in Asia. It was one of the three famous ancient schools of Athens, along with Plato's Academy and the Cynosarges Gymnasium, where he taught his so-called Peripatetic Scholars just outside the city walls, between the rivers Eridanos and Ilissos.

The area also had two temples, dedicated to Hercules and Apollo Lyceus, the latter of which gave its name to Aristotle's school.

The site was first opened to the public a month ago, for a tour forming part of the Greek Cultural Routes events organised by the culture and sports ministry. The remains on the site, covered by protective canopies, include a section of a Roman-era wrestling arena and gymnasium, a well, tank and underfloor heating system delineating rooms. (ANA/MPA)