On 10 and 11 February, we had the chance to experience a beautiful weekend in the heart of the Cycladic winter, on the occasion of the 1rd Dry Stone Workshop on the island of Paros.The project was organised by Cultural Centre of Paros “Archilochos”. team along with the Cultural Association of Angeria , and it was a complete success.
On Saturday 10 February, in the fully occupied Cultural Centre of Angeria, speeches related to dry stone, its environment and projects towards its protection were presented.Specifically, Giannis Chatzopoulos presented the lecture “Dry Stone: past, present and future”,realising a short but very informing historical and technical passage through the craft of dry stone. In continuation, Giorgos Anousakis presented the lecture “Paths and caves on Paros Island”,offering an interesting perspective and relation between these two elements and the dry stone structures of the island. Finally, Semeli Drymoniti presented the main projects realised by the Mitato of Amorgos, the two Dry Stone Workshops “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” and “The History of Water”, thus connecting the Workshop on Paros with a more general framework of similar projects in the Cyclades. The lectures were followed by short talks by the local craftsmen. Closing the evening, the video from the 2rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” was presented, followed by snacks and treats offered.
On Sunday 11 February, the practical part of the Workshop was realised, with the restoration of dry stone walls in a part of a path outside the settlement of Alyki. Participation was impressive, with people of all ages taking part in the works. Older and younger craftsmen were also present, happily sharing their knowledge. The Walking Association of Paros later arrived at the spot too and the 1st Dry Stone Workshop on Paros closed with tasty treats and a feast with live traditional island music.
We share our best wishes with the organisers for the continuation of their project and we will be happy to collaborate in the next steps!
- Read here the complete article on the Workshop Sustainable Cyclades (in Greek).
- Watch here the video of the presentations in the Cultural Centre of Angeria on Saturday 10 February 2024, as recorded by the Network for Sustainable Cyclades
- Watch here the video of the project on site on Sunday 11 February 2024 by Panos Kekas.
Implementing 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.
Water on the island of Amorgos – The traditional management systems as inspiration for the future
One of the most crucial issues on the Greek islands is the management of water resources. The confined geography, the shift of local economy and society with the consequent abandonment of agricultural land, as well as the current challenges of touristic development and climate change, raise concerns regarding the sustainable future of these exceptional places and their treatment.
read moreSocial and Anthropological Aspects of Amorgian Craftmanship and the Art of Dry Stone Walling
"The Mitato of Amorgos" was created in 2020 by a group of people who share common concerns and a common vision for both the natural and the manmade environment of the island of Amorgos -and the Cyclades in general. As an organisation, during the previous years, we have worked towards the restoration of the extensive network of paths, namely the old, now partially closed, routes that used to connect the different areas of Amorgos in the past. Through this attempt, we have witnessed the importance of the dry-stone walls in the preservation and further revitalization of this network of paths. Besides, one can easily observe how dry stone walls, terraces, buildings, are not only embedded in the network of paths, but have also shaped the entire landscape of the area. Ihese stone structures are a cultural and material testimony to the time and work that generations ...
read moreDry Stone Week on Tinos Island, organised by the Assocation “Ambassada”
Από τις 24 Νοεμβρίου έως την 1η Δεκεμβρίου 2024 βρεθήκαμε στην Τήνο, μετά από πρόσκληση του Συλλόγου «Αμπασάδα», για μια εβδομάδα αφιερωμένη στην Τέχνη της Ξερολιθιάς.
read moreAnother successful completion of the Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftrsmanship”!
Friday 25 October 2024 marked the completion of the 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftrsmanship”, organised by the Mitato of Amorgos.
The project was concluded in complete success, with 40 participants and 18 guest speakers, masons and representatives of administrative and citizen bodies from eight islands, as well as the rest of Greece and abroad...
read moreΤhe 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” returns in October 2024!
We are pleased to announce the 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship”, which will be held in Aegiali, Amorgos Island, from 21 to 25 October 2024.
Following the cancellation of our Workshop in 2023, we are very happy to organise our project anew, incorporating a broader framework of events.
Contributing to the workshops on spatial planning for the preservation of the Cycladic identity of Paros
It was our pleasure and honour to be invited as speakers in the last weekend of this series of events, on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April 2024. During the second day, we discussed the role of civil society in preserving the Cycladic landscape...
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