Building the future through the wisdom of the past: water management and hydraulic resilience in the Byzantine aqueduct system of the Holy Monastery of Dochiariou, Mount Athos

Monastic communities established in isolated and environmentally demanding landscapes historically developed sophisticated hydraulic infrastructures to ensure long-term self-sufficiency and resilience. This study investigates the historical water management system of the Holy Monastery of Dochiariou on Mount Athos, Greece, a Byzantine monastic complex founded in the late 10th century. Combining in situ field observations with historical and architectural analysis, the study reconstructs an integrated gravity-driven hydraulic network consisting of subterranean qanat-type galleries, open channels, watermills, cascading reservoirs, concealed conduits, and inverted siphons. The analysis positions the system comparatively within Ancient Greek, Roman, Ancient Persian, and Byzantine hydraulic traditions using criteria related to water capture, conveyance, storage, energy use, and organizational logic. An approximate water balance assessment based on the identified storage infrastructure is also introduced to evaluate the functional capacity and self-sufficiency potential of the monastic complex. The results indicate that the system combined source diversification, distributed storage, passive operation, and adaptation to topographic constraints to sustain monastic activities over long periods. Rather than proposing direct technological replication, the study identifies transferable principles relevant to contemporary discussions on decentralized, resilient, and resource-efficient water infrastructure.