Natural environment
The historical plantings of the National Garden and especially its trees form the backbone of the whole of the
Garden. Thοse plantings were made during the first two decades of its creation and connect the past of the
Garden and Athens with the present and the future.
The most typical examples of historical plantings are, of course, the central entrance Washingtonias, large pine trees, cypress clusters, yuccas, elms, plane trees and many scattered plants throughout the National Garden’s area.
- Tree species: 114
- Shrub species: 82
- Species of climbers: 27
- All other plants (perennial herbaceous plants, succulents, indoor plants): 83
Peisistrate Aqueduct
Another special and extremely crucial component of the natural environment of the National Garden is the dominant presence of water that is transferred by the ancient Peisistrate Aqueduct. Peisistrate Aqueduct, is essentially an underground collector arcade on the natural terrain. It was constructed around the 6th c. BC, is 6.5 km long, at a depth of 10-12 m and begins water gathering from the base of the hill of St. John the Theologian (Hymettus Mt, above Papagos area). It then follows the bed of Ilissos river, it passes under the square of Ag. Thomas and the National Garden and ends up in Athens ancient Agora, where it served as the main water supply in ancient times.
It is estimated that a significant amount of water (about 1000-1200 cubic meters per day) is feeding the Vasilissis Sofias Ave lake, at the north part of the Garden, while an additional quantity ends up at a central point of the N.G. This water is then distributed throughout the Garden using surface grooves and underground grids and serves the main purposes of irrigation and lake catering. Additionally it serves the aesthetic upgrade and enhancement of the landscape and adds value to the leisure and recreation of visitors.
