From 1 to 10 May 2026, we had the pleasure to participate in Krastu Mastru, a project realised by Foghiles in Semèstene village, in the province of Sassari in Sardinia (Italy), represented by the member of The Mitato of Amorgos, Maria Nomikou.
The aim of the project was the exchange of knowledge regarding various techniques of dry stone building, and its transmission to apprentices. For ten days, craftsmen from Cyprus, Croatia, Sardinia and a craftswoman from Northern Italy captured the uniqueness of their technique in 30 metres of sustaining wall, and we had the chance to learn by their side.
Cyprus had a strong presence in the event, represented by Terract of Salami, with craftsmen Panagiotis and Argyris Panagiotou, architect Sevina Floridou and Vasiliki P. Panagiotou. The group has been active since 2019 with various projects, focusing on raising awareness and engaging the youth in the dry stone craft. In 2025, they participated in the 19th International Architectural Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, highlighting the multifaceted importance of dry stone on an architectural, social and environmental level.
We were very happy to meet again with 4 Grada Dragodid eam from Croatia, and craftsman Duje Mikelić. Dragodid marks almost 20 years of action, with workshops organised all year round in areas of Croatia where dry stone structures are present.
Craftswoman Serena Cattaneo, working in areas of Northern Italy, and craftsman Matteo Marangon from Sardinia, led by their own experience each one towards choosing this profession, are both graduates of International Terraced Landscape Alliance (ITLA) της Ιταλίας. They passed on a very important dimension of the way in which a wall is restored, as well as the process of starting from scratch, calculating materials, working hours and costs. Of exceptional interest was the acceptance of Serena by the community of craftsmen, as apparently she is the only craftswoman active in Italy at present.
During the event, we also had the opportunity to present our current and future projects, our goals, challenges and vision. In addition, we were guided by the team of Foghiles through some very impressive dry stone monuments of the area, such as Nuraghe Santu Antine, as well as an area with numerous Pinnettas de Pedra, structures with various uses, according to the needs of farmers and shepherds in the area. We saw beautiful medieval villages, we were hosted by locals and felt familiar.
Through this meeting, we realised that dry stone is not only a building technique; it is a way of connecting people through collaboration, knowledge exchange and common effort. Each stone is placed next to the other to create something stable that will last in time – just like the relationships built among people who love and serve this art. Dry stone bears a deep sense of solidarity and community, a process that shifts the attention from “I” to “us”, reminding us that the most essential works are created collectively.
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 9
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 11
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 8
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 7
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 6
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 5
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 7
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 2
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 10
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 3
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 4
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
4th Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship”: Open call
It is with great pleasure that we announce the organisation of the 4th Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” in Amorgos, from 19 to 31 October 2026.
The 4th Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” has been designed based on the programme and content of the above standardised model and we are pleased to invite you to participate in one of its two events: the dry stone apprenticeship & the dry stone workshop.
read moreWelcoming the second group of students from the Lycée Agricole de Matiti, French Guiana
In the context of Erasmus+ programme, we welcomed in Amorgos the second group of students of the Department of Management and Protection of Nature of the Lycée Agricole de Matiti, part of the French Guiana educational organisation EPLEFPA BTS, from 20 to 24 April 2026.
read moreParticipation in the first European Network Meeting of the Programme for Culture and Engagement LOKAL
The Mitato of Amorgos was pleased and honoured to be among the organisations invited to attend the first European Network Meeting of the Programme for Culture and Engagement LOKAL
read moreWelcoming students from the Lycée Agricole de Matiti, French Guiana
In the context of Erasmus+ programme, we welcomed in Amorgos the students of the Department of Management and Protection of Nature of the Lycée Agricole de Matiti. Together we worked with us in the restoration of dry stone walls in the outskirts of Langada, learning the craft from our craftsman Antonis Vlavianos. Furthermore, as part of their specialisation, the studied the flora and fauna of the area, particularly that of the micro-ecosystems created in dry stone structures.
read moreA manual for organising and realising an educational programme on the dry stone craft
It is with great pleasure and pride that we present the manual for the organisation and realisation of an educational programme on the dry stone craft. The aim of the manual is to guide organisations and civil society groups who wish to actively engage in the efforts towards the conservation and transition of knowledge of the dry stone craft, assisting them with the planning and realisation of educational programmes in order to secure minimum educational and quality standards.
read moreThe art of dry stone in Iraklia: the interaction between material, landscape and craftsmanship through time
This article is only in Greek and was born out of the reflections that arose during the Pilot Dry-Stone Workshop, held as part of the program ‘Allaximaria: Design and implementation of a model dry-stone workshop,’ which took place in Irakleia, through our interaction with the local community.
read moreImplementing a standardised dry stone workshop in Iraklia
The pilot workshop of the project "Allaximaria: Design and implementation of a standardised dry stone workshop" was realised on the island of Iraklia, Cyclades, from 8 to 22 October 2025, in collaboration with Boulouki team along with Association “Ambassada”. The pilot dry stone workshop was structured on two axes _ the programme of professional apprenticeship and the open workshop programme. Both programmes involved practical work on site and theoretical lessons.
read moreWall building at the Dry Stone Canada Festiposium 2025
The Mitato of Amorgos has been invited by the organization Dry Stone Canada and took part in the Festiposium 2025 which was held on Amherst Island in Lake Ontario, Canada, from 26 to 28 September 2025..
The Festiposium was a meeting opportunity for the members of the Association, friends of dry stone in general, as well as residents of Amherst Island, where the largest concentration of Irish type dry stone walls in Canadais found. Starting in 2015, the Dry Stone Canada team has realised more events on the island, with participants from other countries too, mainly Ireland, the UK and the USA. Through these events, free standing walls are restored, many of whom have been officially designated as dry stone heritage.
Participation in the events of the 7th Workshop in Traditional Stonemasonry in Langadia, Arcadia
It was with great pleasure that we received the invitation of the Association “Friends of Traditional Architecture - Blossoming Stones” to participate in one of the two evening events organised in the context of the 7th Workshop in Traditional Stonemasonry in Langadia, Arcadia (Greece), from 27 July to 3 August 2025.
The lectures focused on aspects of stonemasonry in the past, the relevant scientific research, but also the training framework in France, as well as the current steps towards this goal in Greece.
“Allaximaria”: Open call to a standardised dry stone workshop
We are extremely pleased to announce the organisation of the pilot dry stone workshop of “Allaximaria”, from 8 to 22 October 2025, on the island of Iraklia, and we invite you to participate in one of its two events.
Secure your spot in one of the above events now, by filling out the relevant form:
Sign up to the dry stone apprenticeship (8-22/10/2025)
Sign up to the dry stone workshop (13-18/10/2025)
** Registration is open until 15 September 2025.