The Lyceum of Aristotle

The Lyceum of Aristotle was discovered in downtown Athens during the excavations by archaeologist Effie Lygouri in 1996 and first opened to the public in June 2014.

The Lyceum, which was named after the Sanctuary of Lycian Apollo, had been a place where philosophical discussions and debates took place and for long it had been the meeting place of the Athenian assembly before the establishment of a permanent meeting area on Pnyx hill in the 5th century BC.

This is where Aristotle founded its philosophical school upon his return to Athens in 335 BC. Aristotle lectured there, wrote most of his philosophical treatises and dialogues, and systematically collected books that comprised the first library in European history.