Hadrian's Reservoir
On the western slopes of Lycabetus hill, between the actual Dexameni square and the homonym café, one of the most secret Athens spots is located: Hadrian's Reservoir. It receives water from mount Parnitha via the Hadrian's Aqueduct.
Both were built during the 2nd century AD by Roman emperor Hadrian as a gift to the city of Athens and were the main water supply system of the city.
They were in operation supplying water to the Athens area until the early Ottoman era (16th c.). They were then abandoned and gradually fell into decay, resulting in the collapse of their flimsy walls. Athenians started to build wells in their homes for their water supply needs.
Hadrian's Reservoir early 20th c.
Hadrian's Aqueduct started to resupply water from Parnitha in 1840. In 1870 the Reservoir (Dexameni) was rebuild with a greater capacity and covered the water supply of downtown Athens until 1940. Today it is owned by the public water company of Athens.
Hadrian's Reservoir is not open to the public but you can however get a glimpse of its interior structure through the large viewing portals on the western walls.
Hadrian's Reservoir after 1870
During the major part of the 19th century the area around Dexameni was named «Katsikadika» (= goats' place) because it was full of goat herds!
The café on Dexameni Square has a very long and interesting history as it was a meeting place for poets and writers of the early 20th century. Among them: the great satirical poet and journalist Georgios Souris, the austere Papadiamantis, the poet Kostas Varnalis , the author of «Zorba, the Greek» Nikos Kazantzakis, and the Nobel prized poet Odysseas Elytis .
Cine Dexami - an open air cinema in Dexameni Square
In 1991 the roof of the Reservoir was transformed into an open air cinema that remains popular to this day.
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