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 10
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 6
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 5
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 11
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 7
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 8
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 4
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 9
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Mitato Amorgos – Krastu Mastru Sardinia 3
Photography: Julia Ślusarczyk
Cancellation of the 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship”
The Mitato of Amorgos greatly regrets to announce the cancellation of the 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” which was due to be held on the island of Amorgos from 16 to 20 October 2023.
Unfortunately, despite our timely actions, we had to face a new situation from part of the local community at the last minute, and therefore any readjustment of the organization of the event was impossible...
3rd Dry Stone Workshop "The Amorgian Craftsmanship" 16-20 October 2023
The Mitato of Amorgos is pleased to announce the 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship”, taking place from 16 to 20 October 2023.
The project is the continuation of the 1st and 2nd Dry Stone Workshops “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” which were successfully realised in October 2021 and 2022 respectively, under the auspices of the Municipality of Amorgos and financed by the Ministry of Culture and Sports...
Participation in conference dedicated to the rural monuments of Tinos island (22-23 April 2023)
It was with great pleasure that we accepted the invitation of the newly formed association “Ambassada” in Tinos and we travelled to the “handmade island”, as Cornelius Castoriades has called it, on 22 and 23 April 2023, on the occasion of the conference “Rural Monuments of Tinos: humble buildings, jewels of the landscape”. The association “Ambassada” aims at raising awareness among the residents and visitors of Tinos island towards ...
read moreEnding 2022 with the completion of "The History of Water"
In December 2022, a beautiful project undertaken by the Mitato of Amorgos, in collaboration with “Nissos Amorgos” – Association for the Environment and Culture, was completed. “The History of Water” involved the restoration of the water tank in the area “Chorio”, outside the village of Langada on Amorgos Island. The works gave the organisers the opportunity to address water management issues through ...
read moreThe Mitato of Amorgos participates in the 4th islander's forum (PAROS ISLAND, 28-30/10/2022)
The Mitato of Amorgos participated in the 4th Islanders’ Forum which was successfully organised by the Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF) on the island of Paros, from 28 to 30 October 2022.
The Forum was attended by 45 participants, representing 30 organisations from 17 islands, from the Cyclades and beyond.
The presentations realised during the first two days aimed at introducing the people and organisations ...
Another succesful completion of the Dry Stone Workshop "The Amorgian Craftmanship" for the second consecutive year
This year, from 10 to 14 October 2022, three local masons, with the assistance of 35 participants that attended the works on site, have created 14 new cobblestone “kadenes” (steps), with a total length of 33 metres, and restored 10 parts of sustaining dry stone walls, with a total length of 39.30 metres.
read more2nd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” 10-14 october 2022
The Mitato of Amorgos is extremely pleased to announce the 2nd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship”, taking place from 10 to 14 October 2022 on Amorgos.
Following the great success of the 1nd Dry Stone Workshop in October 2021, which was realised under the auspices of ...
“The history of water” wins first prize at the celebrate islands 2022 contest
It was with great pleasure and pride pride that we attended the online award ceremony held on 18 May 2022, for the video contest “My project in 120 seconds” which forms part of the event Celebrate Islands , once more organised by ...
read moreCompletion of the dry stone workshop “The Amorgian craftsmanship”
The first Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” was successfully completed on Friday 15 October 2021. The Workshop was organized in the area of Langada by the Mitato of Amorgos, a group whose goal is the preservation of the natural and cultural environment of Amorgos and the Cyclades in general.
During the Workshop, four local craftsmen ...
Participation in the 17th International Congress on Dry Stone Walling, Kovanle, Croatia 2021
The International Scientific Society for Dry Stone Interdisciplinary Study (SPS) organized the 17th International Congress on Dry Stone Walling in Kovanle, Croatia, from 1 to 3 October 2021. The event was realized in continuation to...
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