Herodes Atticus

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus was built in 161 AD in honor of Aspasia Annia Regilla, the illegitimate wife of a wealthy Athenian aristocrat, Herodes Atticus. The 5,000-seat building hosted musical performances and remained in use until 267 AD, when the Heruli, an East Germanic tribe, attacked. It was then demolished and remained in ruins until the 1950s. The auditorium and orchestra (stage) were then renovated from snow-white Pentelic marble, and since then it has hosted the Athens Festival, which takes place every year between May and October.