Arch of Hadrian is a monumental gateway, slightly reminiscent of the famous triumphal arch in Rome. Is this building in the city of Athens Avenue Amalis.

The arch was built in 131 A. D. in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian on the ancient road that led from the centre of Athens, or rather, his oldest district of Plaka, in a complex of buildings of the Eastern part of the city, among them the temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympeion). It is unknown who exactly ordered arch, and who was engaged in the construction and design, although it is likely that these were citizens of Athens.

On the wall over the center overlap on both sides are carved two inscriptions calling and Theseus and Hadrian founders of Athens. From the Acropolis, the inscription reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus". From Olympeion the inscription indicates that "It is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus". Researchers believe that arch divided the city into old and new part. There is another version according to which, the inscription from the side of the new city testifies to the special role of the Roman Emperor in the life and development of Athens, for which the grateful townspeople and decided to perpetuate his memory. The new part of the city were called Adrianopolis.

The height of the arch 18 m, width 13, 5, and depth 2, 3M. it was Built of white intelegentnogo marble that was used in the construction of many Athenian buildings, for example, the Parthenon and the Panathinaikos stadium. Although it should be noted that the arch was used marble of lower quality, with various impurities. When this arch was carved from a single marble, without the use of cement and other mortars. Separate parts of the structure were fastened with special clips of special design. Arch is completely symmetrical about the Central aperture.

In 2006-2008 there was a reconstruction of this historical monument.