This magnificent sundial and weather vane features marble sculptures of the eight wind deities and was one of the first clock towers in history.
Admire the 2,000-year-old Tower of the Winds, an octagonal clock tower that provides a remarkable example of ancient Greek technology.
Take the 2-minute walk from the Roman Agora to discover this octagonal structure that originally featured an elaborate water clock, sundial and weather vane. Hundreds of years of exposure to the elements has worn away the internal water clock and the bronze depiction of Triton, the Greek messenger of the sea, but the building’s marble carvings and eight sundials remain remarkably intact.
Take the time to find images of the eight wind deities that still remain on the eight sides of the 40-foot (12-metre) building.
Read the informative signs in English or Greek to learn about the many functions of the tower over its long and culturally diverse history. It has been used as a horologion (timepiece) and wind vane, and later as a tekke (hall) for whirling dervishes. Learn the story of Andronicus of Cyrrhus, the Greek astronomer who is said to have designed and built the tower. The nearby Acropolis supplied the water for the complex water clock, and its impressive height made it visible from the Agora.
The Tower of the Winds is located in the Roman Forum, near the Ancient Agora of Athens. A 5-minute walk south along the central Areos Street from Monastiraki Square train station will bring you to the Roman Agora area. The Tower of the Winds is just 2 minutes’ walk east from here.
Enter the site for a small admission fee or purchase your combination tickets for discounted entry to the surrounding major attractions. The crowds visiting the Acropolis often overlook this ancient timepiece, making it a good opportunity to see a quieter corner of ancient Greece. The Tower of the Winds is open daily.
