What about the antiquities of Karystia? The Palia Chora (the Old City)

The situations we face during our visits to known and unknown archaeological sites troubles us seriously…

The Palia Chora

Amazing treasures are hidden scattered in the earth between the Kokkinokastro and the sea. Unexplored layers of habitations, cultures and uses. Some of these treasures have been exposed accidentally by agricultural works or constructions. The old Roman Palace, the Othoman Palace, the Episcopal residence, a network of stone paved roads, mosaics, a state of the art and technology hydraulic fountain, and who knows what else.

The Palaces are turning to rubble, and the whole area is abandoned to the wild vegetation and the domestic herds. This location is hardly accessible by visitors and many points of interest are inside private land.

The historic church Metamorphosi Sotiros at the center of Palia Chora.

Scattered marble stones from dismantled antiquities.

Roman and Byzantine premises.

What about the antiquities of Karystia? The Acropolis of Armenon

The situations we face during our visits to known and unknown archaeological sites troubles us seriously…

The Acropolis of Armenon

The Acropolis of Armenon is located right above a series of ancient quarries and the Drakospita of Styra. It’s an observation point for the South Euboic Golf and the Aegean Sea.

There is a prehistoric megalithic construction, Pyli, along with fortifications of the same period.

On the central rock the newer fortifications of the Acropolis are turning day by day to piles of stones. The main entrance is covered under these rubbles.

An arch-top construction similar to the Fragkoklissia of Kaisariani, is also falling apart from the goats, sheep and people climbing on top of it.

Pyli of Armenon.

View of Agios Nikolaos Chapel from the top of the Acropolis.

The Agios Nikolaos Chapel.

The arch-top construction and the fortifications turning to piles of stones.

Newly collapsed part of the arch-top construction.

What about the antiquities of Karystia? Bourtzi

The situations we face during our visits to known and unknown archaeological sites troubles us seriously…

Bourtzi

Bourtzi is one more emblematic location of the city of Karystos. It was created by the Venetians for the protection of the newly then constructed port of the city, back in the 12th century. Marble stones from the Roman Governors Mausoleum form its foundations.

Unfortunately, its high walls appear to deteriorate and it was closed to the public many years ago.

What about the antiquities of Karystia? The Roman Aqueduct

The situations we face during our visits to known and unknown archaeological sites troubles us seriously…

The Roman Aqueduct

The Roman Aqueduct is located right behind the Kokkinokastro and was meant to provide the castle with fresh water from the spring Montofoli. A miracle of engineering standing in place for almost two millennia.

Unfortunately, its current condition makes us hesitant to propose this destination and the related wonderful hiking to the visitors of Karystia.

What about the antiquities of Karystia? The Kokkinokastro (Castello Rosso)

The situations we face during our visits to known and unknown archaeological sites troubles us seriously...

The Kokkinokastro (Castello Rosso)

The most emblematic archeological site of Karystia, right above the city of modern Karystos and location of the old prosperous city until 200 years ago. Visited daily even by dozens of tourists.

• Both the outer fortified area and the actual Acropolis remain unguarded and accessible by people and animals 24 hours a day.
• There is graffiti on the stone walls of the Acropolis.
• The walls are falling apart and, if it stays like this, it’s a matter of time for them to collapse.
• The unique and rare arched-top construction behind the chapel of Profitis Elias is exposed to people writing graffiti all over and, along with animals, climbing on top of it.
• Goats and sheep have access everywhere, dismantling the fragile constructions and littering.
• The houses all around the Acropolis and inside the outer fortification have turned into piles of stones and do not reassemble in any way to the prosperous city once located there.

View of Kokkinokastro and Karystos from Agia Pigi.

The main entrance of the Kokkinokastro viewed from the inside.

The Acropolis fortifications.

Kokkinokastro is an important tourist attraction.

Unguarded and exposed 24 hours a day.

Graffiti on the fortifications.

The fortified walls are falling apart.

The arch-top construction is exposed to the climbing of people and animals.

Graffiti inside the arch-top construction.

Domestic herds climb and litter everywhere.

Isn't this unacceptable?

EuKarystia for the Protection and Promotion of the Archaeological Sites of Karystia

The antiquities found in Karystia prove its importance for human life and culture since prehistoric ages, and consist a valuable asset for the identity of its modern residents, and a tool for its sustainable development.

Our Cooperative, acknowledging the importance of these vast, regarding time and space, antiquities of Karystia is willing to collaborate, participate and develop projects for the protection, preservation and promotion of this heritage.

For this, we filed our concept and interest to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Evia. 

The filing received protocol number 110051 / March 12th, 2024
Assigned to Mrs Stavroulakis

To: Ephorate of Antiquities of Evia
Tel: 22210 22402
efaeuv@culture.gr

Subject: Contribution of Eukarystia Social Cooperative Enterprise to the Protection and Promotion of the Archaeological Sites of Karystia

EuKarystia, as a Social Cooperative Enterprise based in Karystia and having as main subject sustainability, culture, and social economy, we would like to inform you of our interest to contribute to the development of projects for the protection, accessibility, and promotion of the archaeological sites of Karystia.

As Karystia has been included for the coming years to the European Funding Program LEADER, it is possible to use funds for the overall and substantial improvement of its image and, above all, its significant capital which are its archaeological treasures.

We express our interest in setting up partnerships for purposes that relate to our common pursuits and remain at your disposal.

Yours sincerely,
On behalf of EuKarystia ΚοινΣΕπ,
...

Official report filing regarding The Abandoned Settlement of Galana

On March 12, 2024 we filed a report to the Administration of Modern Monuments (Υπηρεσία Νεωτέρων Μνημείων και Τεχνικών Έργων Αττικής, Ανατολικής Στερεάς Ελλάδας και Κυκλάδων) about the existence of the abandoned settlement of Galana and its importance as heritage of Karystia.

The filing received protocol number 108959 - March 12, 2024.

To: Administration of Modern Monuments and Technical Works of Attica, Eastern Central Greece and Cyclades Address of Modern Monuments of Attica

Consider: Mr. Nikolaos Argyriou
210 3253059, line: 4300
nargyriou@culture.gr

Dear Mr. Argyriou,

We would like to inform you of the existence of an abandoned settlement in Paradeisi of the Municipality of Karystos, which is of significant architectural and cultural interest and has gained the interest of visitors to the area.

We attach for you a document with all available information and remain at your disposal.

Yours sincerely,
...

The description of the abandoned settlement of Galana as attached to the filed report: 
https://eukarystia.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-abandoned-settlement-of-galana.html