Platonic Academy, Archaeological site in Colonus, Athens, Greece.
The Platonic Academy was an ancient school in the northwestern part of Athens, where olive groves, a gymnasium, and several buildings once stood. Today the site shows foundation walls of the Sacred Residence and other structures at the corner of Kratylou and Tripoleos streets in the Sepolia district, surrounded by modern housing.
Plato opened this school in 387 BCE, and it remained active for over nine centuries. Emperor Justinian ordered its closure in 529 CE, ending the last surviving philosophy school of antiquity.
Students and teachers at the Academy engaged in mathematics, dialectics, natural sciences, and political theory through systematic philosophical discussions.
The site sits in a residential neighborhood and can be viewed on foot, with remains spread across a small area. Information boards help with orientation and explain the different visible structures.
Leadership was granted for life, with registered members deciding through majority vote. Some later heads changed the focus considerably, so not all teachings stayed close to what Plato originally taught.
Location: Colonus
Location: Athens Municipality
Inception: 387 BCE
Founders: Plato
GPS coordinates: 37.99137,23.70838
Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:44
Greek Public Tobacco Factory
766 mAthens Mosque
921 mGreek Film Archive
1.2 kmPieridis museum
910 mΆγιος Νικόλαος ο Χωστός
1.2 km
Escapepolis Αθήνα
1 km
Metaxourgiou Square
1.2 kmCharles Lenormant Monument
785 m
George Papanikolaou bust, Athens
1.1 km
Angelos Sikelianos bust
1.2 km
Athens Music School
650 m
Municipal Library of Athens
1.2 kmMegalou Alexandrou 88-90 & 52-54 Salaminos
1.2 kmMegalou Alexandrou 96
1.2 kmMegalou Alexandrou & 47 Salaminos
1.2 kmMegalou Alexandrou 89
1.2 kmMegalou Alexandrou 95 & 43 Plataion
1.2 kmMegalou Alexandrou 92-94
1.2 kmMegalou Alexandrou 91 & Plataion
1.2 kmMegalou Alexandrou 83 & 54 Salaminos
1.2 kmCypriot Art Museum
910 mΘέατρο Παραμυθιάς
1.1 kmVault Theatre Plus
896 mΘέατρο Το Οικόπεδο
1.1 kmGraffiti: Knowledge speaks - Wisdom listens
1.1 kmExpiration date
1.1 kmWork of art, mural
732 mMural, Work of art
923 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes