Prison of Socrates

The prison of Socrates, in Athens

The prison of Socrates is a set of ancient cavities dug into the rock, on the hills close to the Acropolis. The Athens audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this site, linked by tradition to the famous philosopher.

The cavities linked to the philosopher

The prison of Socrates designates a set of cavities dug into the rock of the hills close to the Acropolis, notably the Philopappos hill. Tradition locates here the place where the philosopher Socrates is said to have been imprisoned before his death, condemned by the city. Beyond the legend, this peaceful and memory-laden site invites you to evoke the figure of the great Athenian thinker and the history of philosophy.

What to see

Here you discover the cavities dug into the rock, linked by tradition to Socrates, in the peaceful setting of the hills close to the Acropolis. The site invites you to evoke the figure of the great Athenian philosopher. It is a stop for those curious about history and philosophy, during a walk on the heights.

Practical information

The prison of Socrates lies on the hills close to the Acropolis, in the heart of Athens, reachable on foot by paths. It is an open-air site, generally freely accessible; the cavities can be observed from the outside. It is best to bring good shoes and to enquire about access before coming.

What is the prison of Socrates?

It is a set of cavities dug into the rock of the hills close to the Acropolis, where tradition locates the imprisonment of the philosopher Socrates.

Where is the prison of Socrates?

On the hills close to the Acropolis, in the heart of Athens.