Harnessing Hadrian’s heritage: Athens taps into ancient Roman aqueduct to turn down heat

As summer reaches higher temperatures than ever, Athens is tapping into its ancient Roman engineering to preserve water, reduce city temperatures, and create more green spaces. 

Europe’s oldest continually inhabited capital is peppered with reminders of its chequered past.

While the Acropolis and Parthenon attract the most tourists, it is Roman Emperor Hadrian’s ancient aqueduct that holds the key to tackling the city's growing water scarcity. By reopening these ancient water channels, which are fed by multiple self-sustaining springs, the city can cool down, save up to 80,000 cubic meters of water a year, and create more green spaces. 

The ultimate goal of Athens' authorities is to develop a greener, more sustainable city capable of handling the increasing heat in the region.

Watch the video below to discover more.
 

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