The Kamares Aqueduct in Chalkida on Evia

Entering Chalkida from the north or being in Chalkida it is worth visiting the Kamares aqueduct.

From a distance, it can be seen that a significant section has been preserved in quite good condition. Twelve intact arches look magnificent. The structure is integrated into Sitron Street, which serves as a bypass for the capital, and is exposed to strong vibrations due to the heavy traffic of cars, including delivery vehicles. We hope that the vibrations do not damage this monument.

It is difficult to find more precise information, but it is known that twelve arches and three columns without a roof have survived.

As one can easily guess, what we can admire today is only a small part of the aqueduct that brought water to Chalkida. Sources indicate that twelve sections have been preserved along the Chalkida - Dokos road. However, I found only two: one described and the other on the route leading to Monodriou. It is believed to have been built by the Romans and later used by the Venetians. The period of Turkish occupation also saw the exploitation of the aqueduct.

This means it served the population for many centuries. The end of its use occurred due to a strong earthquake in September 1854. The damage was so extensive that the Turks did not attempt further repairs to the structure. Since then, the aqueduct has not supplied water to the city.

It is quite a mystery where the water was sourced for Chalkida, meaning where the structure originated. According to information obtained from a resident of Evia,it originated near a small village called Steni, located about 30 km away.

So if the water was brought to the island's capital through a thematic aqueduct, the structure was very long, indicating a well-developed engineering technique.

It is worth noting that during the Paleolithic, geometric, classical, and Roman periods, Kamares was a settlement. Remains of three Mycenaean tombs, the foundations of an ancient sanctuary, as well as Christian tombs and temples have been found.

Unfortunately, all of this is not accessible to visitors.