To the west of the Acropolis in Upper Town, is situated the Roman Odeon of Patras which was built earlier than the Odeon of Athens (Herodion, 160 AD). When Pausanias visited Patras around 170 AD wrote "it has the nicest decor I've ever seen, with exception, of course, the Odeon of Athens". Pausanias mentions that in the Odeon, which was contiguous with the ancient Agora, there was a statue of Apollo, made from spoils of the war against the Gauls (279 BC) when the citizens of Patras had helped the Aetolians. In the following centuries, earthquakes, wars and conquerors destroyed the Odeon which was covered with dirt and other buildings. Only few parts remained uncovered. It came back to light in 1889, when excavation works on the hill were done for the embankment of the harbor. After several decades, the restoration process started and was completed in 1956, the year in which the Ancient Odeon acquired its original form. In the same decade, the surrounding space turned into an archaeological exposure with sarcophagi, mosaics and other ancient finds. The Odeon has all the essential parts of the theater, auditorium, orchestra, spotlight, stage, backstage as also 23 rows of seats which can accommodate 2,300 spectators. Since the adoption of the International Festival of Patras, the Ancient Odeon is the main office, hosting the summer months leading Greek and foreign artistic groups. Operating schedule: 8:00 to 14:30 (except Mondays) Admission Free. Tel .: 2610220829
Under the patronage of Commerce and Import Association of Patras