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Paved Court of Klepsydra: Ancient Spring and Gathering Place

Discover the ancient Paved Court of Klepsydra on the Acropolis, a historical spring and gathering place with rich cultural significance and architectural remains.

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Explore the Paved Court of Klepsydra, an ancient site on the northwest slope of the Acropolis in Athens, featuring a natural spring that has been a water source since prehistoric times. Discover the historical significance and architectural remains of this once-vital landmark.

A brief summary to Paved Court of Klepsydra

  • Theorias 21, Athens, 105 58, GR

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best lighting and fewer crowds.
  • Wear comfortable shoes to fully enjoy exploring the paved stones.
  • Combine your visit with nearby attractions on the Acropolis for a full day of exploration in Athens.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Acropolis Museum, walk north along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. Turn left onto Theorias Street. Continue walking uphill on Theorias Street until you reach the Paved Court of Klepsydra on your right. The walk is approximately 10-15 minutes. There are no entrance fees to access the Paved Court of Klepsydra.

  • Public Transport

    Take the Metro Line 2 to the Acropolis station. Exit the station and walk north along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. Turn left onto Theorias Street. Continue walking uphill on Theorias Street until you reach the Paved Court of Klepsydra on your right. The walk from the Acropolis Metro station is approximately 15-20 minutes. A single metro ticket costs €1.20 [Cheapest source].

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Discover more about Paved Court of Klepsydra

The Paved Court of Klepsydra is located on the northwest slope of the Acropolis hill in Athens, near the intersection of the Peripatos and the Panathenaic Way. This natural spring was used as a water source from prehistoric times. In the fifth century BCE, the site was developed, and new structures were built, including the paved court, a well, and a covered well-house. Later, a Roman apsidal well house (subsequently a Byzantine chapel) and a flight of stone-carved steps up to the Propylaea were added. The spring was known in ancient literature as Empedo, named after the tutelary deity of the spring, an Attic nymph. The name Klepsydra was given to the water made available by the fountain house. The spring is mentioned by Aristophanes, Pausanias, and Plutarch. During the period of Frankish control, the klepsydra was heavily fortified. However, during the Ottoman occupation, the well fell into disuse. The Turkish garrison of the Acropolis surrendered at the siege of 1822 due to the lack of water. Kyriakos Pittakis rediscovered the source of the spring, leaving the first written account of the site in 1835. Archaeological examination began in 1874, and the paved court was uncovered in 1897. From 1936 to 1940, excavations fully exposed the paved court, fountain house, and draw basin. The original Greek fountain house was built around 475–470 BCE. The paved court's function remains unclear, with some scholars connecting it to the Sacred Caves and others identifying it as a cistern collecting rainwater from the Acropolis. Today, visitors can explore the remains of this historical site and appreciate its architectural features.

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