Kerameikos

Kerameikos is an archaeological site and ancient cemetery in northwestern Athens where you can see burial grounds, city walls, and the remains of the Pompeion building along the Eridanos River. The area shows different zones: an inner section where potters once worked and an outer section with graves.

City walls were built in 478 BC and divided the area into an inner craft district and an outer burial zone. This layout shows how the ancient city grew and adapted its spaces over time.

The museum here displays funeral sculptures, urns, and objects that show how Athenians honored and mourned their dead. These items reveal how burial practices and beliefs changed over time.

Visiting works best if you come in the morning to explore the grounds with good light and to avoid crowds. An on-site museum helps you understand the objects found and their significance better.

Excavations in the 1800s revealed a large burial pit containing remains from an ancient plague that swept through the city. This discovery shows how the community dealt with mass loss during a crisis.