Rectangular stones whisper stories of time at the Tower of Hadrianic Bridge. This tower stands near Elefsina. It sits upon a Roman bridge over the Kiphisos river. This river is of Eleusis. You will find the Tower of Hadrianic Bridge northeast of Elefsis. It is under the new highway.
Let’s delve into the story of this ruined tower. It is number 26 on Langdon’s list. This list details mortared medieval towers in Attica. Historians believe the Tower of Hadrianic Bridge is Frankish. But certainty eludes us. The mortar hints at medieval origins. It could also predate the 13th century during the Byzantine era.
The bridge is a preserved piece of the ancient Sacred Way. This road once linked Athens and Elefsis. It lies one kilometer east of Demeter’s Sanctuary. Emperor Hadrian is credited with building the bridge. He was initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries around 125 A.D.
Today only the tower’s base remains. It reaches a height of just 72 centimeters. Over time its stones became raw material. Locals used them for houses and other buildings.
The Tower of Hadrianic Bridge once measured 5.34 by 7.67 meters. Its builders used stones from the bridge itself. They possibly took stones from the ancient temple of Demeter.
The Arch of Hadrian in Athens is not far away. It is a triumphal gateway. It was built around 132 A.D. The arch honored Emperor Hadrian. It thanked him for his contributions to the city. The arch spanned a road from central Athens. It led to structures like the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Inscriptions on the Arch of Hadrian honored Theseus and Hadrian. They named them as founders of Athens. Some believe the arch marked the boundary. It divided the ancient city from Hadrian’s new city.
The Arch of Hadrian is made of Pentelic marble. This marble also built the Parthenon. The arch stands 18 meters high. It is 13.5 meters wide. It is 2.3 meters deep.
The inscription on the Acropolis side reads: “This is Athens the ancient city of Theseus”. The inscription on the other side says: “This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus”.
Like the Tower of Hadrianic Bridge, the Arch of Hadrian carries history. Both structures remind us of Athens’ rich past. They show the influence of emperors and ancient mysteries. The Tower of Hadrianic Bridge may be ruined. Yet it still connects us to the stories of ancient Greece.