The Challenge
Traditional landscape features are vital for global soil health and water retention, yet they are rapidly disappearing as modern societies shift away from agrarian lifestyles. In Amorgos, the abandonment of agricultural land has led to the decay of iconic dry stone walls — structures that once formed the backbone of the island’s erosion control and microclimate management systems. As these walls crumble, the landscape becomes increasingly vulnerable to land degradation and flooding.
Furthermore, the unique “intangible heritage” skills required for their construction are disappearing with the older generation, leaving a critical gap in the knowledge needed to maintain both the island’s environmental resilience and its cultural soul.
The Solution
This project addresses the crisis by implementing a standardized educational model designed to train a new generation of builders in traditional dry stone techniques, designed with the support of CPF in 2025.
Returning to Amorgos, the 4th workshop will use the “Allaximaria” manual to ensure consistent quality and provide a replicable framework for dry stone training across the Cyclades. The initiative combines professional apprenticeships with public experiential workshops to restore damaged terraces while fostering community stewardship and international exchange—including participants from Canada. By transforming traditional craftsmanship into a living, professional skill, the project ensures that these functional monuments continue to protect the island’s soil and water resources for the future.
Activities
Cyclades Preservation Fund continues to support the The Mitato of Amorgos for 4th time in a row, to:
- Deliver a 10-day professional apprenticeship for specialists to refine their dry stone building and repair techniques.
- Host a 5-day experiential workshop for the public to learn basic wall maintenance through “learning by teaching”.
- Conduct theoretical lessons on geology, architecture, and the legal protection of heritage structures.
- Lead educational excursions to analyze local materials and traditional construction techniques across Amorgos.
- Engage local primary and secondary school students through hands-on heritage conservation sessions.
About the Grantee
The Mitato of Amorgos was established in 2020 and is registered as an AMKE. It is dedicated to environmental and cultural preservation in Amorgos and the Cyclades, with a focus on raising awareness, conserving traditional crafts, and promoting local knowledge. The team has experience organizing path clearing and dry stone workshops, collaborating with local groups and receiving grants from multiple cultural and environmental foundations.
What You Can Do
- When you visit any of the islands of the Cyclades or the rest of the Aegean, take a minute to appreciate the dry stone features. Take a photo and tag CPF, promoting awareness about the environmental importance of dry stone structures.
- Make donation to CPF to continue support the maintenance of dry stones in Cyclades and the Aegean
SDGs
CPF’s grants support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This grant specifically supports:
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Restoring walls prevents soil erosion and maintains the integrity of terrestrial ecosystems vital for biodiversity.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The project preserves UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage, strengthening local identity and community resilience.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Restored terraces act as nature-based solutions that manage water runoff and reduce the risk of climate-related flooding.
