Cyclades islands among Europe’s most endangered sites

Three Cyclades islands - Sifnos, Serifos, and Folegandros - have been named among Europe's seven most endangered heritage sites for 2024, as announced this week. The Seven Most Endangered Program, a joint effort by heritage group Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute since 2013, aims to safeguard threatened European heritage, be it from demolition, neglect, over-exploitation, or conflict.

"The Cyclades, renowned for their unique charm and rich culture, find themselves grappling with a myriad of challenges posed by the surge in tourism development and rampant construction. Despite driving economic growth, this brings along a host of environmental, cultural, and social issues, including the degradation of natural resources, damage to cultural and natural heritage, water scarcity, waste management problems, and socio-economic disparities," a statement said.<...