Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Thailand’s hot, humid climate meant that customers wanted an alternative to hot tea.
ChaTraMue
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
You could probably take some of that stuff out.
Dear Atlas: How Do I Pack Light for a Long Trip?
Ripples in the land are remnants of the field walls that once held rows of native sugarcane and sweet potatoes.
Unearthing the Mysteries of Hawai'i's Ancient Agriculture
Petrified Forest National Park.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Greece Athens Roman Tomb in Zara

Roman Tomb in Zara

The ruins of an ancient Roman tomb hidden in the basement of a trendy clothing store.

Athens, Greece

Added By
gus kontopuls
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Looking up to the glass floor.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Glass floor of the store.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Front view.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Front of the store.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Steps up to viewing area.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Side view.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Side view.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Panorama of tomb.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Front view.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Up close viewing.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

There are three Zara stores (a trendy clothing chain) in the Athens city center, and archaeological ruins scattered throughout this ancient city. But there's only one place where these two wildly disparate attractions intersect.

In the basement of the Zara on Stadiou Street, the ruins of an ancient Roman tomb are on full display for all casual shoppers and savvy visitors to see. The tomb is separated from the retail area by a glass wall, so visitors can get just feet away from the ancient structure for up close and personal viewing. And just inside the front door, the floor consists of reinforced glass so you can look directly down into the lower level for a unique perspective of the ruins.

The store is located in a 19th-century building with an unexpected history. It was originally the residence of the wealthy Greek philanthropist, Ioannis Hadjikyriakos. Completed in 1880, the beautiful neoclassical mansion was, at the time, one of the most impressive buildings in the city. In his will, Hadjikyriakos stated that upon his passing, the building should be converted to a hotel so all in the city and beyond could enjoy his masterpiece.

When the renovation was complete the building opened as the Hôtel d’Egypte. The hotel failed to thrive so it was remodeled and named the Hôtel d’Athènes, where business was not much better. The building survived, but after the Germans invaded Greece in 1941, it was requisitioned first by the Greek Army and then by the occupying Germans. When the Germans retreated in 1944, it reverted to civilian use and served many purposes until it became vacant in the 1980s.   

When Greece was chosen to host the 2004 Olympic Games, many infrastructure projects began to prepare the city for the coming onslaught of visitors, including a modernization and extension of the Athens Metro System. While the Red Line was being renovated, ancient artifacts were discovered many places, including in front of the Hadjikyriakos building. Further excavation revealed there was an ancient Roman-era tomb that extended underneath the building's foundation.     

Due to strict Greek laws protecting archaeological sites and artifacts, the renovation plans were modified to both protect the tombs and allow the public to admire them. The new plans called for the tombs to be on open display in the lower level of the building, which is how this ancient gem came to be housed in this most surprising locale inside a modern clothing store.

Related Tags

Ancient Ruins Roman Tombs Shopping Shops Archaeology

Know Before You Go

The tomb is on display when the Zara store is open to the public, currently daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Note that security is present and they are (rightfully) quite aggressive about protecting the tomb, as well as the privacy of visitors to the store.

Community Contributors

Added By

gus619USA

Edited By

Collector of Experiences, jcarson827etc

  • Collector of Experiences
  • jcarson827etc

Published

September 20, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Roman Tomb in Zara
32 Stadiou
Athens
Greece
37.979624, 23.732142
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Korai 4

Athens, Greece

miles away

Klafthmonos Square Parking Structure Fortification Walls

Athens, Greece

miles away

Stoa Emporon

Athens, Greece

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Athens

Athens

Greece

Places 80
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Korai 4

Athens, Greece

miles away

Klafthmonos Square Parking Structure Fortification Walls

Athens, Greece

miles away

Stoa Emporon

Athens, Greece

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Athens

Athens

Greece

Places 80
Stories 4

Related Places

  • The tomb of Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces, the baker.

    Rome, Italy

    Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker

    A freedman baker’s lavish tomb has a relief showing various stages of Roman bread making.

  • The Headquarters building

    Ambleside, England

    Ambleside Roman Fort

    This beautifully situated lakeside Roman settlement was likely built during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian.

  • The remnants of the ancient eatery.

    Pompeii, Italy

    Pompeii Thermopolium

    Before it was buried by volcanic ash, this fast-food restaurant fed the hungry hordes of ancient Rome.

  • The memorial is below ground, and is slowly being overtaken by nature.

    Jarash, Jordan

    Gerald Lankester Harding's Burial Place

    The 20th-century archaeologist was interred among the ruins of an ancient Roman city.

  • The gyrus in front and a granary to the rear.

    Baginton, England

    Lunt Roman Fort

    This reconstructed ancient fort was home to one of the few horse training rings in the Roman Empire.

  • Aerial view of the Sandby borg ringfort.

    Mörbylånga, Sweden

    Sandby Borg Ringfort

    Archaeologists are still unraveling the secrets of the brutal massacre that wiped out this ancient fort.

  • Tipaza, Algeria

    Tipasa Roman Ruins

    An extraordinary mix of Phoenician, Roman, early Christian, and Byzantine ruins beautifully set overlooking the Mediterranean.

  • The death mask of Mayan king Pakal the Great.

    Mexico City, Mexico

    Death Mask of Pakal the Great

    The striking jade death mask of an ancient Maya king is displayed in a replica tomb in Mexico City.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.