Waterworks in Acropolis Hill

The area of Athens was first inhabited at the end of the Neolithic period, some time between 3500 and 3200 BC. The few remains and finds of this period testify that the first settlements were on, or very close to the rocky hill, which was later named Acropolis. 

The area of Athens was first inhabited at the end of the Neolithic period, some time between 3500 and 3200 BC. The few remains and finds of this period testify that the first settlements were on, or very close to the rocky hill, which was later named Acropolis. 

Hydria Virtual Museum

Plan of the Acropolis: Peripatos is highlighted in green and Panathenaic Way in brown color. Notes: 1. Odeion of Perikles 2. Theatre of Dionysos 3. Monument of Thrasyllos 4. Asklepieion spring house 5. Stoa of Eymenes II 6. Odeion of Herodes Atticus 7. Propyla

Hydria Virtual Museum

Of course water was the vital prerequisite for selecting the specific site on which to establish the settlement and it was accessed by digging wells. It is estimated that in prehistoric times there existed 21 wells 3 – 4 m deep, evidence of the rich water table. Later on, in the historic period, several luxury fountains were built around the Acropolis hill, exploiting these underground streams that provided access to a safe water resource in times of siege, when the Athenians would gather behind the walls of the Acropolis.

In this case study the following springs and fountains of the Acropolis are explored:

The spring and fountain house known as the Klepsydra and mentioned by many writers.

The Asklepieion spring house, which combines a spring and fountain at the healing house of Asklepios.

The Mycenaean spring fountain, which is linked to a heroic moment in Modern Greek History, when during the Nazi occupation (1941) two Greek students used this cave  as a secret passageway to reach the upper level of the Acropolis and take down the Nazi flag.