Cycladic islands’ character under threat

The alarming course of destruction wrought to the unique landscape and character of the Cycladic islands in the Aegean is highlighted by the proposal of the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET) to the Europa Nostra federation regarding endangered monuments and cultural heritage sites.

The islands of Sifnos, Serifos and Folegandros, as cases representative of the dramatic change that has taken place in the Cyclades in recent years, made it to the federation's short list of endangered monuments and cultural heritage sites, with the final results to be announced in April.

The proposal submitted by ELLET for Europa Nostra's 7 Most Endangered Program 2024 concerns all of the Cyclades, which, it stressed, are facing a multitude of challenges posed by the surge in tourism development and uncontrolled construction.

"Despite the economic...