Research in Context
The park of the NTUA Campus.
Mediterranean tree and shrub species.
NTUA CAMPUS (Polytechniopolis Zographou).
A park at the foot of mountain Hymettus
Description of the landscape.
The green spaces occupy a very large part of the area of Polytechnioupolis, approaching 50 acres. The main elements of the park are the pine trees, the native flora, but also a significant number of garden configurations such as groves, islets and gardens on the perimeter or inside the buildings.
The routes through the green areas are an attraction for recreation and relaxation. Not only for members of the university community but also for visitors from neighboring municipalities.
Along the routes there are places of aesthetic interest overlooking the landscape of mt. Hymettus or mt. Lycabettus and other historic hills of Athens.
A view from a foothill to the east of Chemical Engineering School. In the background Mt. Lycabettus.
Image credit: Alexios V. 2026
The NTUA Campus is comparable to other well-known parks in Athens, not only because of the extent of its green spaces but also for the wide variety of tree and shrub species. The coexistence of different species gives a unique aesthetic interest: plane trees, carob trees, olive trees, cypresses, cedars, oaks, palm trees, jacarandas, elms, linden trees etc.
Diverse tree species along the paths and routes on the perimeter of the campus: cypresses, pines, pepper trees. In the background almonds in bloom. Image credit: Alexios V. 2026
At the initiative of NTUA Rector, Professor Ioannis P.K. Chatjigeorgiou, the labelling of a selection of plants is underway. The installation of 100 labels has been completed and another 200 labels will be installed, in order to mark more than 100 species of the native and garden flora.
Two information posts have been installed at the entrances of the Administration Building. Two more will be installed at the central gates of the campus. The purpose is to guide visitors and groups (school classes, students, faculty) along established routes which are rich in species diversity.
Aerial Image of NTUA Campus.
Image source: MapQuest 2025.https://www.mapquest.com/
Route 1. Gate Katechaki to central square
Route 2. Gate Iroon Polytecnheiou to central square
Route 3. Gate Iroon Polytecnheiou and along the perimeter of the campus
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Arboretum I
Arboretum II
Mediterranean plantings I
Mediterranean plantings II
Mediterranean plantings III
Mediterranean plantings IV
Attica's flora
NOTE: All the following images portray flora and fauna at the NTUA campus. The source is the archive of the Environment Office, Division of the Premises, Technical Agencies NTUA.
Arboretum I.
Broadleaf semi-evergreen and deciduous trees
In a relatively small space, different tree species are present, mostly deciduous and semi-evergreen.
Deciduous tree species are valuable in the green urban and peri-urban areas. With their open crown they provide shade and protection from solar radiation. Also with their intense flowering or fruiting, interest is maintained throughout the year: chinaberries, maples, pistachios, Judas trees, jacarandas etc. In various locations in the park, one can find species with diverse origins, from various parts of the world.
Chinaberry tree Melia azedarach near the Laboratory of Applied Hydraulics.
Image credit: Alexios V. 2024
Arboretum II.
Broadleaf evergreen and deciduous trees
This particular area has trees that are rarely found in the urban environment in Athens and Attica. Among them it is worth noting a few species that recent literature evaluates as promising and climate-resilient: Canary Pine, elm trees, golden rain trees. Of particular interest, as attributed to Greek flora, is the Cretan maple and various oak trees.
Italian Oak tree Quercus pubescens near the NTUA Press Facilities (Thomaidis donation)
Image credit: Alexios V. 2004
Early in spring, the Judas trees which have been planted in large groups or rows, bloom in the branches before their new foliage appears. Then towards the summer, the flowering comes from other types of trees such as jacarandas, orchid trees, chinaberry trees etc. While the golden rain trees with their fruiting towards the end of summer, complete the aesthetic interest succession.
Judas tree Cercis siliquastrum, bloom in early spring.
Image credit: Alexios V. 2024
Mediterranean plantings I.
Shrubs adapted to dry and hot conditions
With the construction of the main pedestrian route from Katechaki gate in early 2000s, tree and shrub plantings were developed. The design prioritized species adapted to the Mediterranean climate. Mostly groups of shrubs that respond to extreme dry-thermal conditions, such as mastic and rosemary.
Of particular interest are less common species though, such as Limoniastrum monopetalum and the curry plant Helichrysum stoechas.
Briar rose Rosa canina, bloom in spring.
Image credit: Alexios V. 2004
Jerusalem sage Phlomis fruticosa, bloom in spring.
Image credit: Alexios V. 2020
Mediterranean plantings II.
Trees and shrubs of the Mediterranean landscape
The bicycle route and the paths that begin at the School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, is complemented with a series of tree groves. The species are characteristic of greek flora: olive, laurel, carob tree, judas tree. The main shrub species are mastic and Italian Buckthorn.
Among the most majestic specimen trees in the area are the Mt. Atlas mastic trees, Pistacia atlantica. In autumn, their foliage turns from deep green to yellow or brassy. Also one finds more tree species that are not often used such as honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos, russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia and Chinaberry Melia azedarach.
Mt. Atlas Pistachio tree Pistacia atlantica near the track field (Sports Center).
Image credit: Alexios V. 2024
Mediterranean plantings III.
Plant species with rich references in ancient lore and literature
On the south side of the Administration Building there are many species that are distinctive of greek flora and landscape: madrones, greek strawberry trees, myrtles, laurels, rock-roses. There are many references for these species in ancient and byzantine literature.
Greek Strawberry Tree. Theophrastus (371 BC - 287 BC) in his book 1 of "Enquiry into Plants" describes the morphology of the trunk and its cracks.
Myrtle. The morphology of its fruit is described by Theophrastus and Virgil (70 BC - 19 BC). The plant is associated with lore and mythology (Phaedra). Dioscorides (40 AD –90 AD) stresses the pharmaceutical properties of myrtle and its various medicinal uses.
Laurel tree. Theophrastus describes the quality of its wood. Pausanias (c. 110 AD – c. 180 AD) refers to a Temple of Apollo that it was made of laurel branches (Baumann 1993 transl.).
Strawberry tree Arbutus andrachne, fruit in winter.
Image credit: Alexios V. 2024
Rock-rose Cistus spp, bloom in spring.
Image credit: Alexios V. 2004
References:
Baumann Hellmut, William T. Stearn, and Eldwyth Ruth Stearn. 1993.
The Greek Plant World in Myth, Art, and Literature.
Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.
Theophrastus, and Arthur Hort. 1948.
Theophrastus Enquiry into Plants and Minor Works on Odours and Weather Signs with an English Translation by Sir Arthur Hort, Bart.
London: William Heinemann Ltd.
Mediterranean plantings IV.
Shrubs, Mediterranean climate and flowering.
The green belt along the bicycle road in the area of the School of Civil Engineering has a large diversity of shrubs like species that are tolerant of the Mediterranean climate.
rosemary, bush germander, italian buckthorn, rock-rose.
Also many flowering shrubs: lilac, lantana, crimson bottlebrush, winter jasmine.
Broadleaf, evergreen and deciduous trees to observe are almonds, plane trees, pepper trees and sweet acacias.
Wild orchids contribute to the biodiversity richness of the park. They are protected by law regulations.
Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops).
Image credit: Alexios V. 2004
Attica's flora.
Native species of Mt. Hymettos and Attica's landscape
This area is part of the mountain Hymettos and its ecosystem. The rocky ground is covered by bushes of garrigue oaks, mastics and wild olives. Also distinctive is the presence of maquis species like spiny Burnet, Jerusalem sage, false dittany. Seasonally the color is changed all year round with the successive flowering of bulbs and herbaceous plants:
Cyclamens, Native orchids, Tassel hyacinths, Asphodels, Anemones, Cardoons
Cyclamen spp
Image credit: Alexios V. 2025
