Treasury of Atreus

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Hidden within rolling mountainsides, the (or Tomb of Agamemnon) is an impressive tholos tomb located on the Panagitsa Hill in Mycenae, Greece. Stunning views winding through gorgeous mountain landscapes make a visit to this splendid monument of Mycenaean architecture a wonderful day trip from Athens. Mycenae was among Greek civilisation's major centres during the second millennium BCE – it was a military stronghold, gaining such significance as to have an entire period of Green history (1600BCE to 1100 BCE AKA Mycenaean) named in reference to it.



Built in around 1250 BCE, the 'beehive' tomb consists of a stomion (entrance), dromos (passage), tholos (vaulted chambed) and a small internal side chamber, and forms part of the ancient citadel of Mycenae.



The tomb's carefully dressed masonry and the use of megalithic elements in its entrance (such as jambs and lintel) are distinctive features of its construction. The tomb's incredible façade was originally decorated with various materials, and parts of its sculpted decoration are exhibited in the British Museum, London, and the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.





The Treasury was re-discovered by a German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, in the late 1800s, but was found robbed without any information on the grave goods or the burials the tomb once housed - adding to the mystery surrounding such an impressive monument, which was never buried in earth but instead remained visible, turning the heads of ancient and contemporary travellers alike.



Complete guided bus tours can take you on a Mycenae and Epidaurus day trip from Athens for about AUD140, all year round.

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