Tracking the traces of the Sacred Way

Landscape Architecture M.L.A. Agricultural University of Athens

Project idea

The Sacred Way (Iera Odos), in ancient Greece, was the road, with a total length of 22 kilometers, from the Sacred Gate in the Kerameikos (the Athenian cemetery) to the Sanctuary of Elefsis. It was of a great value not only commercially and financially, but mostly culturally and religiously, as it was the route taken by a procession celebrating the Eleusinian Mysteries, with historically important monuments along.

Inspiration
The significance of the area in ancient times, as an important stopover of the Eleusinian procession, an area to rest and accommodate wayfarers and pilgrims depicted in the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Aphrodite and in the well-preserved part of the ancient road, excavated from the temple towards lake Reiton along with the uniqueness of Attica's landscape and the effort to revive it, were a source of inspiration for this research.

Main objectives are:
• Integration of the large green-planted-areas of Mount Poikilo and Mount Aigaleo, as well as the settlement of Aphaea with Mount Aigaleo.
• The emergence of Aphrodite's Sanctuary through the green areas integration together with a network of open-air areas and information infrastructures.
• Connecting the area with the ancient route part of the Sacred Way (Iera Odos) from Echo's Hill to Lake Reiton.
• Highlighting the two streams in the area.
• Creating infrastructure (playgrounds and sports facilities, information and accommodation infrastructures, green land leisure areas) which will attract more visitors to Aphrodite's Sanctuary and will activate the settlement.

Project description

The proposed design is based on the creation of a wide overpass over modern day Sacred Way to create a continuous area that will highlight both the cultural elements of the site (the Sanctuary of Aphrodite and the traces of the ancient Sacred Way towards Lake Reiton) as well as the natural streams and forest of mounts Aigaleo and Poikilo.
Infrastructure will be added to support recreational activities, including sporting facilities, a playground, as well as biking and hiking trails, surrounded by green space. The biking and hiking trails will form natural curved shapes to blend in with the natural landscape. Visitors’ information and hospitality facilities will be added too, along with parking space.
The goal of the proposed plan is to attract the public to visit the archaeological site and to engage in recreational activities too, thus reviving the area stretching from the Sanctuary of Aphrodite and the town of Aphaea all the way to Echo Hill, along the path of the ancient Sacred Way.

Technical information

Materials
Natural materials (wood, stone and dirt), colors and textures are proposed in order to be in harmony with the natural landscape and the archaeological site.
Segments of the stream will be spanned to allow for easy pedestrian and biker crossing. In addition, stops will be added along the stream to allow the visitors to take rest and enjoy the surrounding view as well

Trees, plants, and floral decoration
The plants will be evergreen and deciduous trees as well as Mediterranean evergreen shrubs, to maintain a green backdrop throughout the year. Pine trees and cypresses will ensure consistency and continuity with the nearby forest. Platanus accidentallis will be added along the stream, to create a shadow during the summer months and will also be placed in area C of the park. Finally, the use of lavender, myrtle, and rosemary, will add color and a natural floral scent to the site.

Co-authors

RaIssa-Maria Andreopoulou, Demetrios Galanis