The Odeon in Athens

The Odeon is accessed from Dionysiou Areopagitou, an uphill pedestrian street. Going past the theatre of Dionysus and passing several significant structures of the classical antiquity, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus finally emerges. The building, often referred to as the Herodeion, was erected circa 160 AD. Currently the Odeon, which is a large-scale theatre, maintains its original functions. During the summer, one can swing by for a theatre performance, a music concert, or a performance of ancient drama and dance in the frame of the Athens Festival.

The custom is traced down to a story, according to which, during an epidemic, a youth killed a bear which attacked his sister and an oracle proposed that the bear would be set at ease by performing the ritual. In antiquity, the sermon took place every four years and soon evolved into an elaborate festival. The ritual has survived to this day and one can still observe, if lucky, girls ascending the slopes towards the temple clad in saffron robes and hiding their faces behind bear masks.

A further peculiar feature about Brauron is the stoa, with its six rooms containing 11 beds for the children. The stoa is set right next to the ancient temple of Artemis, and in the immediate vicinity of the cave containing the tomb of Iphigenia. The sacred spring with a chapel is also worth attention.