Culture and heritage are cornerstones of European identity fostering a sense of belonging and shaping communities They not only enhance a city's attractiveness but are also a key driver of social cohesion economic growth and well-being of its inhabitants the European Union has promoted many initiatives to support culture and cultural heritage in cities including the Urban Agenda for the EU (UAEU) European Urban Initiative (EUI) and URBACT to help cities capitalise on their cultural assets Building on the results of these initiatives and city experiments This two-day event will bring together EU cities urban stakeholders and experts to share knowledge and gather evidence on urban practices using culture and heritage as a catalyst for positive change The EUI Policy Lab provides a unique opportunity to: Join the discussion and REGISTER NOW! Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker A man repairs a house damaged by wildfire in Chalandri, a suburb in northern Athens, Greece, on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) This photo shows a house and a car damaged by wildfire in Chalandri, a suburb in northern Athens, Greece, on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) People check a factory damaged by wildfire in Chalandri, a suburb in northern Athens, Greece, on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) People spray water on wood ignited by wildfire in Chalandri, a suburb in northern Athens, Greece, on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) This photo shows a restaurant damaged by wildfire in northern Athens, Greece, on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) This photo shows a house damaged by wildfire in northern Athens, Greece, on Aug. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) and boasts the playwright Euripides as one of its most famous residents Today it remains a residential yet popular area bordered by main roads and a Metro station easily connecting it to the center and is mostly known for its shopping opportunities and bar scene With a constellation of small shops and cafés – connected with leafy pedestrian streets and arranged around the city’s main square and the church of Saint Nicholas – Chalandri is a charming neighborhood just waiting to be explored Veliavik/Shutterstock View Athens Tours Looking for a post-workout refuel, a great way to start your morning, or a healthy lunch spot? Look no further and head to Bazaki instead This cute juice bar – whose name means ‘small jar’ – is run by two childhood friends ‘let your food be thy medicine.’ Shop Till You Drop Shop New Africa / Shutterstock Enter new realms of relaxation at Cocoon Urban Spa This little oasis located between Chalandri and Agia Paraskevi (another hip norther suburb) is a cocoon of zen you won’t want to leave after you’ve stepped inside For those who don’t mind a little bit of pain The spa even offers yoga and pilates classes sauna and hammam where you can indulge in a traditional oriental relaxation Aerial-motion / Shutterstock Sometimes all you want is get away from the city and breathe some fresh air and Chalandri is located beneath the mount of Penteli allowing you to get your dose of fresh O2 in a jiffy Take the opportunity to grab a bite to eat before heading up there for a hike a jog or simply a stunning view of the city try to visit the old Penteli monastery as well Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy professional shower singer and food enthusiast Ethel enjoys spending quality time with friends and family usually with a certain amount of eating and drinking involved uploading photos on her Instagram feed and daydreaming with a good book in her hands See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip See & Do Lesser-Known Summer Destinations to Visit in Europe See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Spring Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in August See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd A man repairs a house damaged by wildfire in Chalandri 13 (Xinhua) -- A major wildfire that erupted on Sunday and spread over 30 km to reach the northeastern suburbs of Athens has been contained by early Tuesday morning leaving one dead and causing significant damages A 60-year-old woman who was working in a small factory in Chalandri Her body was retrieved by firefighters early Tuesday firefighters were no longer battling a raging blaze but were trying to extinguish dispersed pockets of fire and tackle flare-ups Initial estimates suggest the blaze started on Sunday near Marathon town located some 40 km northeast of central Athens farmland and approximately 100 damaged houses but we need to cope with large destruction," Stelios Petsas Thousands of residents who had been forced to flee the flames have started returning to their homes "The entire neighborhood is covered in ashes The slope of Penteli Mountain has turned black People are homeless and in despair," Vasso Toumbeki The strong winds that hampered firefighting efforts have receded Meteorologists have warned that weather conditions might change again later on Tuesday and in the coming days Officials and experts said the prolonged drought was also among the primary factors making it difficult for firefighters to bring the wildfire under control "It was the first mega-fire we faced this year Greece just experienced its hottest June and July on record The country faces thousands of wildfires each summer and climate change seems to be triggering more and larger blazes Three people have lost their lives in wildfires so far this year in the country The death toll was 20 last year and over 100 in 2018 when a major wildfire swept through Mati People check a factory damaged by wildfire in Chalandri This photo shows a house and a car damaged by wildfire in Chalandri This photo shows a house damaged by wildfire in northern Athens People spray water on wood ignited by wildfire in Chalandri This photo shows a restaurant damaged by wildfire in northern Athens A police officer was arrested for attacking and threatening citizens at a Christmas event in a public square in the northern Athens suburb of Halandri assaulted the deputy mayor of civil protection and also confronted a volunteer who participated in the event The Municipality of Halandri has joined as a civil party in the case The station commander is said to have informed the mayor that the officer has caused issues in the past and that he had also exhibited inappropriate behavior toward his fellow officers Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox Athens’ daily life was shaken once again by a cold-blooded mafia execution in the center of Chalandri bringing to light the ruthless actions of the Greek Mafia known to authorities for his criminal past was shot dead by dozens of bullets outside a private diagnostic center resembled a cinematic execution scene and adds to the long list of settling scores between rival gangs The Ambush and MurderOn Thursday afternoon the perpetrators set up an ambush for Moschouris outside the “Praxis Health” diagnostic center on Palaeologou Street in Chalandri It appears they had closely monitored his movements and knew the time of his appointment he was met with a barrage of bullets from a Kalashnikov – more than 30 rounds some of which even ended up inside the diagnostic center this information has not yet been officially confirmed The Perpetrators’ EscapeAfter the execution the perpetrators fled in the initial vehicle to the Patima Chalandriou area where they set it on fire before continuing their escape in a second car Their movements indicate a well-organized operation The Profile of the VictimGiorgos Moschouris known in the underworld by the nicknames “Thamnákias,” “Megalos,” or “Trelos,” was reportedly a member of the Greek Mafia Authorities had kept a close eye on him for his involvement in extortion His murder comes four years after a previous attempt on his life in 2020 when he was shot in the abdomen outside a bakery in Voula and survived thanks to his armored car Giorgos Moschouris was in his third decade of life he disappeared from the public eye but continued to operate behind the scenes his name resurfaced in the media for an attempt on the life of a nightclub owner on Syngrou Avenue they set an ambush outside the businessman’s home in Ilioupoli attacking him first with fists and then with the stock of a gun but Moschouris and his accomplice shot him over ten times while he attempted to escape by climbing a wall and jumping onto the roof of a parked car his name appeared again in police reports when three criminal groups accused of selling protection to 150 businesses in the Attica region were investigated with Moschouris identified as the leader of one of the groups on a warm evening outside “Ipirotissa” on Vary-Koropiou Avenue Moschouris was confronted by two men in black who approached him on a black Honda Transalp motorcycle while authorities recovered thirteen bullet casings Panic and Terror in the NeighborhoodDuring the attack Videos captured by security cameras and phones show vehicles stopping abruptly and a motorcyclist falling terrified onto the road A female driver narrowly escaped as bullets passed right next to her Police InvestigationThe Homicide Department of the Attica Security has launched thorough investigations Materials are being gathered from security cameras in homes and businesses in the area and videos from previous days are being checked for potential surveillance of the victim The burned BMW abandoned at Patima is under scrutiny by the Forensic Department Settling Scores?The murder is part of a broader wave of violence that appears to be related to conflicts within organized crime in Attica The execution of Moschouris’ “second-in-command” in 2020 and his involvement in an attempted murder case of a nightclub owner in 2023 may piece together parts of a bloody puzzle that the police are trying to assemble Two shallow-focus earthquakes occurred in Chalandri within approximately 1.5 hours and at relatively close proximity to each other in the early hours of December 29th with a magnitude of 2.7 on the Richter scale struck the Chalandri area shortly before 3:30 AM and was felt in several parts of Attica According to the revised report from the Geodynamic Institute the epicenter was two kilometers southwest of Chalandri with a focal depth of 5.7 kilometers in an area that has experienced frequent tremors recently had its epicenter three kilometers south-southwest of Chalandri with the focal depth recorded at 7.9 kilometers The local authority in Chalandri called on citizens to join its energy community by investing EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,500 in a solar power unit 0 A canopy with a solar power plant will be built on a public parking lot in a northern Athens suburb to supply municipal buildings and households. The local authority in Chalandri in the administrative region of Attica said it would also provide free electricity for vulnerable households as a measure to combat energy poverty Greece hosts one of the highest numbers of energy communities in the European Union and is among the top solar power markets The Municipality of Chalandri added it is the first in the country to include citizens in such an endeavor Of note, Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas presented the Athenean Energy Coalition initiative last month with his counterparts from Aigaleo The goal is to provide cheaper energy to citizens is planning to install a 150 kW solar power plant under the energy community The expected annual output is 230 MWh and the facility would operate for 25 years The facility will cover the entire electricity needs of all participating households It also estimated that they would return the investment in two to three years The municipality sees total costs at EUR 100,000 and expects 30 to 40 households would join within the first phase Each would participate with EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,500 A department of the University of West Attica is participating in the project It cooperates with the Electra Energy Cooperative in the establishment of energy communities “Without citizens and their participation the energy crisis and energy poverty cannot be tackled That is why this effort that we are starting is of great importance We need to change the perception of large-scale green energy projects that only result in ever-increasing energy costs and increasing environmental impact The energy transition is currently not conducted in a democratic way We have constant changes in legislation that create obstacles to any attempt at achieving energy autonomy,” Chalandri Mayor Simos Roussos said at a presentation of the initiative the municipality obtained licenses for 800 kW which would cover more than 30% of its needs Chalandri also applied for an EU grant of EUR 1.98 million for photovoltaics heat pumps and energy efficiency measures for 11 schools It said it would participate with EUR 2 million of its own funds Be the first one to comment on this article 05 May 2025 - The delegations from the two countries met on the sidelines of the 10th summit meeting of the Three Seas Initiative 05 May 2025 - The Trebinje 3 photovoltaic plant would have an installed capacity of 53.63 MW and an estimated annual production of 85.5 GWh 05 May 2025 - VDE Renewables found that SolarEdge’s advanced safety capabilities minimize photovoltaic system risks and effectively prevent fire hazards 02 May 2025 - The project is located in Constanța county recognized for its superior yields in green energy production © CENTER FOR PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2008-2020 website developed by ogitive Already a member? Log in Not a member? Sign up Explore our Food Tours → It’s a quiet Tuesday lunchtime when we pass through Eleftheroton Square in Chalandri, one of Athens’s northern suburbs Anyone living in the surrounding areas knows that this boisterous neighborhood is the best place to shop and go out the square is dotted with places to sit and enjoy a coffee or have a meal while watching the world go by but there’s no guarantee that they’re all of the same quality.) One of the oldest establishments in Chalandri this restaurant goes by the nickname of its owner Dimitris who has been cooking in the kitchen for the last 25 years Since opening its doors on the square in the 1970s Mitsos has insisted on serving only fish-based meze for the simple reason that it is the best accompaniment to ouzo The interior space is small and recently renovated but one can still marvel at the beautiful black-and-white photographs portraying happy moments and famous clients or the intricate sign drawn by the well-known Greek cartoon artist Bost and given to the owner as a present Mitsos serves only fish-based meze because it is the best accompaniment to ouzo There is a selection of fried and cured fish Mitsos has remained so successful over the decades for a number of reasons not least their use of only fresh fish and the way it is fried without a hint of oiliness Another one is the swift and personal service Clients come from all walks of life: local businessmen Everyone is welcome and treated with the same warm efficiency When it was time to order we couldn’t resist the fried koutsomoura (a type of red mullet) that definitely lived up to its reputation: It was fresh The boiled stamnagathi (a wild green that has a slight bitter aftertaste) was excellent perfectly cooked and doused with good quality olive oil Equally tasty were the boiled zucchini and the cured which is served with chopped onions and parsley we were not brave enough to try the fiery cuttlefish stew but there is also a good selection of tsipouro Prices really depend on how much one drinks we take a stroll around Chalandri – despite being one of the largest municipalities in Attica with plenty of pedestrianized streets and lush greenery Although when it’s time to go back to the city we are relieved to have taken public transport out here or park a bit further out if you come by car loading map - please wait...Map could not be loaded - please enable Javascript!→ more information why limit yourself and stay the whole night in one place As Chalandri has the other advantage of having numerous pedestrian streets it is an ideal destination for the ultimate bar crawl – perfect for a night out with your friends Here is a roundup of the top bars in Chalandri that you should visit when you are out and about Courtesy of Spiti Bar Spiti Cocktail Bar is one of Chalandri’s favorite hangouts. Attracting the crème de la crème of the city’s DJs, Spiti (which means home in Greek) serves delicious cocktails and features a spacious outdoor yard import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_2"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Big Mouth Bar Polyglot (with a Master Degree in Translation) Those who grew up there or in the neighbouring areas with more than one station within the boundaries of the municipality and suddenly Halandri became a hotspot for all Athenians Halandri is a “northern suburb” and an “outpost” at the same time Halandri was a sparsely populated Athenian district refugees and migration to the capital changed its borders Halandri seceded from Athens and became a separate community as many residents of the centre of Athens abandoned it and looked for another place to live in the Basin Halandri began to develop rapidly and gradually formed its present character bicycle paths and pedestrian streets that are full of life and offer many options for entertainment and recreation sparser buildings and even a few detached houses that echo its more suburban era a lung and an oasis for Halandri and its neighbouring municipalities Halandri Creek is a surviving trace of a Vrilissos river stream the torrent that begins from Nea Penteli and ends in Tourkovounia A large part of the stream has of course now been buried under roads but fortunately for local residents this is not the case in Halandri We spent a whole morning there and we didn’t regret it We started our day at the local everest café and sandwich bar on Agias Paraskevis Street There we bought coffee (we had a choice of three different blends: Intense Brazil Armed with all the essentials for a picnic All along the stream there are trees such as fir and sycamore trees We also saw a lot of birds; not only magpies but also more exotic species such as green parrots that have established a colony in this corner of Athens One of the most important summer festivals with more than 30 years of life takes place here which belongs to the municipality of Halandri troupes and musical groups from Greece and abroad perform on stage and attract visitors from all over Attica Here you can attend everything from performances of ancient Greek tragedies to Indian music festivals which is why it attracts people from all over Attica The many pedestrian streets and spacious sidewalks make it easy to browse the windows full of rare and beautiful things; from handmade jewellery and home decorations After all that shopping, it was a given that we would be hungry at some point. A timeless landmark of Halandri, Goody’s Burger House at the beginning of Penteli Avenue is a quality choice. We had to choose between 3 different types of juicy beef burgers (original 80gr, extreme, & the new stuffed extreme burger loaded with Philadelphia), which are then tucked into our all-time classic favourites Cheese, Green & Golden, or the more special Chilli or the exuberant Hangover. Hangover. The place also serves fresh salads, hearty club sandwiches, chicken nuggets and numerous other options such as meat free & veggie burgers, pasta dishes, chicken wraps etc. The central square of Halandri is actually “many squares” in a single package. On one side, there is a playground, almost always full. On the bleachers and the fountain, you can see youngsters rapping while listening to the latest music hits, teenagers skating and young lovebirds on their first dates. On the other side of the square is the church of Agios Nikolaos, on the steps of which young people gather before their night out. Pasta lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy La Pasteria’s signature carbonara. For the slightly indecisive who find it hard to choose between a classic Italian burger and a plate of perfectly cooked pasta, there is a solution and it’s called Macinata Pomodoro. Don’t leave before trying one of the dolci on the list. After all, La Pasteria’s tiramisu has been an Athenian favourite for many years. A bicycle and skateboard-friendly neighbourhood In a capital that is certainly not famous for the infrastructure it offers to cyclists, Halandri is an exception. With a network of cycle paths that exceeds 5 kilometres, it is an area where cycling as an alternative means of transport is a real solution. Residents of the area seem to recognise this, as they increasingly use bicycles for their commutes and walks. Halandri features three large sports centres and an amazing skate park for all skate and BMX lovers. Besides, you will see kids skateboarding almost everywhere. In addition, there are nine outdoor sports facilities, including a callisthenics park. Hadrian’s Aqueduct was built in the 2nd century AD by the Roman emperor of the same name, in order to supply Athens with rainwater from Penteli and Parnitha. After 19 centuries, the municipality aims to revive it. Through an irrigation network, thanks to the major redevelopment that will accompany the hydraulic installation, a pedestrian walkway will connect the monument to Halandri Creek and the city centre. Two pumping stations will make the aqueduct productive and its non-potable water available to residents for irrigation and other needs. Thus, there will no longer be a need to consume and waste water for non-potable uses. The project has been included in the European project CULTURAL H.ID.RA.N.T. Halandri is a truly sufficient Athenian neighbourhood. Some of the city’s most historic cinemas, such as Havana with its always excellent film selection and the open-air AMIKO can be found here. AMIKO’s screen is fringed with lush ivy and fragrant jasmine. When it comes to nightlife, there are plenty of choices. In the main streets, but also in smaller alleys you are sure to find something that suits your tastes, whether we are talking about cocktail bars, classic bars or beer bars. Whether you prefer the movies or a night out, the best way to top-off your evening is with a DIY sandwich or a hot dog at the local everest outlet. this northeastern suburb of Athens is undoubtedly a top destination Featuring traditional eateries as well as new modern Mediterranean restaurants Chalandri (or Halandri) has a plethora of options for food lovers Here is a small list of the our top restaurants in this beloved neighbourhood A brutal execution with characteristics reminiscent of a mafia hit took place on Thursday afternoon in Chalandri at the intersection of Papankoli and Palaeologos Street known to authorities for his alleged involvement with the so-called Greek Mafia Moschouris had just left a private diagnostic center when unknown assailants in a vehicle approached him and opened fire with Kalashnikovs Numerous shell casings were found at the scene of the execution a burned vehicle was discovered in the Patima Chalandri area It is believed to be the getaway car used by the assailants The police are seriously investigating the possibility of a gangland reckoning as Moschouris had previously survived a murder attempt in 2020 in Voula and investigations to locate and apprehend the perpetrators are in full swing The Hellenic Police is collecting footage from security cameras and witness statements to outline the escape route of the shooters A shooting incident occurred early Wednesday afternoon in Chalandri when unknown assailants opened fire with Kalashnikov rifles outside a private medical center According to initial reports, the victim was standing on the sidewalk in front of the medical center’s entrance when a vehicle passed by and one of the occupants shot him. The perpetrator or perpetrators immediately fled the scene in the same vehicle Reports indicate that a car has been found burning in the Patima area which is believed to be the getaway vehicle used by the assailants Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr Another tragedy unfolded on the roads during the Feast of Epiphany in Chalandri where a 19-year-old lost his life after the motorcycle he was riding was struck by a car The accident happened a little after 4 PM yesterday afternoon when the car traveling along Apostolopoulou Street in the direction of Chalandri made a sharp left turn onto Eptanissou Street without slowing down which was coming from the opposite direction The violent collision propelled the 19-year-old motorcyclist onto the sidewalk was on his way to pick up his mother from work and take her home The young man’s mother and his two siblings are tragic figures in the aftermath having already mourned the loss of their father just eight months earlier friends of Antonis are leaving flowers and lighting candles in memory of the young motorcyclist who was taken too soon Residents of the area describe the intersection as a “death trap,” where five drivers of cars and motorcycles have lost their lives Eyewitness account of the accident in Chalandri The other driver was turning into the side street at high speed He hit the boy and shattered him,” he recounted the assailants opened fire on “Thamnakia” with unprecedented brutality More than 30 shell casings were found at the murder scene indicating the intensity and duration of the attack Authorities estimate that during the attack, the assassins were able to change magazines to continue firing, aiming to ensure Moschouris‘s certain death This strengthens the assessment that the perpetrators were well-trained with meticulous planning and operational calmness Moschouris had just left a private diagnostic center on Papadopouli Street when the assailants approached in a vehicle and sprayed him with bullets with at least one of the shots hitting him in the face a burned vehicle was found in the area of Patima Chalandriou which is believed to have been used for the escape The police investigations are ongoing at a rapid pace while the scenario of an internal settling of accounts within the Greek Mafia remains strong in which Moschouris is thought to have had a leadership role It is noteworthy that he had survived an assassination attempt in 2020 in Voula The area experienced traffic chaos for hours as investigators analyzed footage from security cameras and took witness statements Authorities are attempting to piece together the precise timeline of the attack and the escape route of the perpetrators is the victim of the cold-blooded murder in Chalandri The Moment the Gunshots Were HeardA video has captured the moment when gunshots ring out while cars pass by A second earthquake measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale occurred on Wednesday afternoon within a span of two hours in Chalandri According to the revised data from the Geodynamic Institute the epicenter of the quake was located 3 kilometers southwest of Chalandri another earthquake was recorded in Chalandri with the same epicenter according to the revised data from the Geodynamic Institute the epicenter of that quake was also located 3 kilometers southwest of Chalandri The amount of 1,000,000 cubic meters per year is estimated to be the water saved for Athenians if Hadrian’s Aqueduct is utilized along its entire length This means—although it may seem utterly inconceivable—that an ancient water project crossing eight municipalities of Athens from Acharnes to Kolonaki and covering a distance of 24 kilometers still has the capacity to transfer 1,000,000 cubic meters of water annually for any use other than drinking wherever there is a connection to Hadrian’s Aqueduct will replace the consumption of drinking water from the EYDAP network aside from saving this precious resource—especially under drought conditions due to the climate crisis—the non-potable water of Hadrian’s Aqueduct contains nutrients beneficial for plant growth potable water is wasted in irrigation as it undergoes cleaning and filtration processes that neutralize trace elements valuable to plants Equally remarkable as the endurance of the ancient Roman aqueduct and its functionality is the fact that it participates in the natural water cycle in the environment: based on its operating principle Hadrian’s Aqueduct “captures” water (a technical term meaning it gathers water from natural cavities and streams encountered—or formerly encountered—along its route) When users draw quantities for their needs ideally replenishing the underground aquifer and thus this type of water cycle is referred to as “circular/green economy practices,” etc as demonstrated by the pilot reactivation of a section of the aqueduct approximately 4.5 kilometers long passing through the lower side of Chalandri Regarding the potential full utilization of the aqueduct’s 24-kilometer length According to this study and corresponding calculations the benefit for the water reserves of the capital across a chain of eight neighborhoods (Acharnes Ampelokipi) would amount to about 1,000,000 cubic meters annually it will be fascinating to see how the Hadrian’s Aqueduct revitalization project will function in practice EYDAP will begin a trial supply of non-potable water to Chalandri residents who expressed interest and connected to the network constructed over the past few months supplementary and parallel to the aqueduct pipeline the plan aimed to serve about 70 consumers the overwhelming response from interested parties tripled the demand compelling EYDAP to further enhance the supplementary infrastructure to ensure the technical smoothness of the non-potable water distribution network in Chalandri Chalandri is pioneering by utilizing an ancient monument not as a tourist attraction green urban development project emphasizing sustainability and community participation in every aspect—from design to promotion and historical documentation Centered around the reactivation of the aqueduct various cultural activities were developed in a broad sense ranging from water management by the local community to redevelopments around EYDAP and aqueduct works Through the Cultural HIDRANT Project and funding from the European Union the Municipality of Chalandri has elevated the revival of Hadrian’s Aqueduct to a global model “Reintegrating Hadrian’s Aqueduct into the daily lives of Chalandri residents for their non-potable water needs is immensely significant which previously ended in the sea without being utilized—from Parnitha to the Dexameni reservoir in Kolonaki (although in practice Hadrian’s Aqueduct is not continuous due to damage in at least three locations)—is now restored.” Now at least Chalandri residents and potentially future residents of the other seven aqueduct municipalities understand that they can contribute to water conservation by using non-potable water for watering trees in their gardens “It is noteworthy that non-potable water networks exist in many cities in Europe—and beyond non-potable water is used by the local municipality for irrigation and cleaning purposes citizens themselves are given the opportunity to use it Chalandri’s example has attracted interest from at least 15 cities across Europe to transfer our expertise and methodology applied to Hadrian’s Aqueduct to locations with existing older non-potable water supply infrastructure will visit Chalandri as part of the first Policy Workshop on managing cultural and natural resources under the European Urban Initiatives program Water distribution to Chalandri residents from Hadrian’s Aqueduct will occur in two ways: directly and indirectly Properties close to the pipelines will connect directly to the designated waterlines Consumers farther away will receive non-potable water from two water tankers acquired by the Municipality of Chalandri for this purpose The distribution will be managed by the Hadrian Chalandri Community essentially a committee comprised of residents in collaboration with a special-purpose cooperative who will deliver water to consumers’ tanks The unexpectedly high demand increased the network’s projected supply from 25,000 to 80,000–90,000 cubic meters annually specifically within Chalandri’s boundaries while redevelopments around the aqueduct route amounted to €5.5 million integrating the project into the appropriate EU program has its own unique history The initial idea for the aqueduct’s reuse had been discussed for years but credit for initiating the necessary steps is owed mainly to a Chalandri municipality official the municipality drafted a proposal to include the aqueduct reactivation project in the Cultural HIDRANT program The Greek proposal was one of 11—out of 222—selected by the EU authority for Urban Innovative Actions which manages resources from the European Regional Development Fund Although Chalandri Municipality assumed overall supervision and responsibility for the program its proposal was co-developed with seven other partners: EYDAP the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos (MedINA) the NGO “Ohi Paizoume – Urban Dig,” the Antiquities Authority of East Attica and the Institute of Regional Development of Panteion University with the involvement of two local associations Collaboration also extended to 12 schools across all educational levels in the area The vision of the residents of Chalandri extended beyond the reuse of the Hadrianic Aqueduct aiming to integrate it into as many aspects of daily life as possible as well as into the contemporary urban fabric of the city Giovanopoulos highlights: “This approach differs from the simple showcasing of the Hadrianic Aqueduct as a monument or tourist attraction meant to draw visitors to the city the urban renovations planned and mostly implemented—the largest ever undertaken in Chalandri covering a total area of 21,500 square meters—aim to improve residents’ quality of life through: 1) the creation of new public green spaces 2) the expansion of the green zone and walking paths along the Rematia stream 3) the connection of the Syneikisimos area with the city center through a continuous pedestrian zone and 4) the use of water and green elements to create a microclimate as a contribution to combating the greenhouse effect the historical highlighting of the largely hidden Hadrianic Aqueduct extends beyond its identity as an ancient monument It is approached as a collective heritage asset through documenting its presence in the recent and older life of Chalandri and the relationship of the city’s residents with it.” The Roman emperor Hadrian (117–138 AD) aspired to ensure the luxury of baths for the aristocrats of Athens he commissioned the construction of an aqueduct initiated during his reign but completed by his successor the main artery of the Hadrianic Aqueduct is an underground tunnel carved into natural rock with a height of approximately 1.20–1.60 meters and a width of 50 centimeters The project was executed by digging 465 shafts along the aqueduct’s route each with a maximum diameter of 1.40 meters and depths ranging from 10 to 42 meters The aqueduct’s main axis began at the so-called “inclined gallery” in the area of today’s Olympic Village in the Municipality of Acharnes and ended at the Reservoir located at the eponymous square in Kolonaki The aqueduct’s route was designed to follow the gentlest path in terms of elevation changes It operated primarily by naturally tapping into the groundwater layers of the earth and secondarily by transporting water from specific springs located at the foothills of Mount Parnitha The aqueduct was further supplemented by several adjacent streams along its course it remained functional for several centuries before being abandoned It was reactivated in 1847 following the establishment of the independent Greek state and the relocation of the capital to Athens to address the city’s acute water supply problem successive cleaning and repair works were carried out The Hadrianic Aqueduct served as Athens’ main water supply source until 1931 it remained in auxiliary use until the mid-1970s major infrastructure projects for the Athens Olympic Stadium and other developments caused significant damage to the aqueduct Two shallow-focus seismic tremors were recorded within approximately 1.5 hours at a relatively close distance in the northern suburbs of Attica with a magnitude of 2.6 on the Richter scale occurred in the area of Chalandri shortly before 3:30 AM and was felt in several parts of Attica (reports from Agia Paraskevi According to the revised solution from the Geodynamic Institute an area known for frequent tremors in recent times another much weaker tremor of magnitude 0.8 on the Richter scale was recorded near the same location The Euro-Mediterranean Institute reported the tremor at a magnitude of 3 and a focal depth of 6 kilometers with a magnitude of 1.9 on the Richter scale with the focal depth measured at 7.9 kilometers The Euro-Mediterranean Institute reported this tremor at a magnitude of 2.2 on the Richter scale Chalandri has a high level of seismic activity Based on data from the past 55 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900 there are about 3,000 quakes on average per year in or near Chalandri Chalandri has had at least 10 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900 which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently probably on average approximately every 10 to 15 years The last earthquake in Chalandri occurred 1 hour and 39 minutes ago and had a magnitude of 0.8: Mag. 0.8 earthquake Aegean Sea - Attica, Greece - writeAge(1746492885)A light magnitude 0.8 earthquake occurred in the Aegean Sea near Euboea island The quake was too small to be felt by people Chalandri has had 6 quakes of magnitude 2.0 or above There were also 11 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel The quake had a very shallow depth of 11 km (7 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so).