The Herodes Atticus Conservatory, located on Dionysiou Aeropagitou Street at the southwest base of the Acropolis, is accessible to the public during performances, mostly held in the summer. Visitors exploring the Acropolis archaeological site can also catch a glimpse of the Herodeion from the alley behind the stands. Herod the Atticus, an Athenian orator and Roman senator renowned for his wealth and public contributions, undertook the construction of the Conservatory in honor of his wife Regillas around 161 AD. The monument was a marvel in antiquity, featuring an impressive wooden ceiling made of Lebanese cedar. A century later, it suffered damage during the Heroulian raid when Athens was sacked and was later incorporated into the city's fortifications. The Conservatory once had a three-story arched facade with a wooden tile roof. Today, two of the three floors of the stage area remain, standing at a height of 28 meters. Restoration work on the stands, initiated in 1950 by architect Anastasios Orlandos, made it one of the world's oldest operating theaters. Since 1955, the Herodeion has hosted the Athens Festival, welcoming internationally acclaimed artists such as Maria Callas. Throughout the summer, concerts and theater performances make use of this iconic venue nestled on the Acropolis slope.