Agrotera

The sanctuary of Artemis Agrotera is an ancient Greek temple in Athens. It is located near the east side of Ilisosflusses in Kallirrhoe source and the Panathinaiko stadium.

The temple was built in 449 BC in the Ionic order with four columns on two sides of a so-called amphiprostyle by the architect Callicrates, on the back is also the similar, slightly smaller Nike temple on the Acropolis. In this sanctuary of the goddess of hunting Artemis the Athenians on 6 Boedromion celebrated every year ( mid-September) the anniversary of the Battle of Marathon.

In the 5th century AD, the temple was converted into a Christian church and extended by a dome in the 17th century. In 1778 he was knocked down by the Ottoman commander of Athens and the construction material used to reinforce the walls.

First excavations took place in 1897. For road construction work of the building researchers discovered Ioannis Travlos 1962, the perimeter of the sanctuary. Although official sources have repeatedly noted the great historical significance of the site, it is still privately owned and is in danger of deterioration. A citizens' initiative calls for excavation and the inclusion of the sanctuary in an archaeological protection zone.