Monemvasia: “Crimes” on the Rock for the Cable Car

Under the worst possible conditions, the construction of an aerial lift (cable car) project in the Castle Town of Monemvasia in Laconia has begun and is unfolding.

Although the Central Archaeological Council (which gave approval for the project) explicitly stated that no rock excavations would take place, the residents of Monemvasia are watching in disbelief over the past few days as exactly this is happening: extensive rock excavations in a unique environment, which belongs to the protected Natura network.

The way this paradox unfolded is indicative of how the Greek public sector and municipalities operate.

The residents of Monemvasia, who were concerned, had asked the Central Archaeological Council (KAS) for assurances about the absolute protection of the monument. In a discussion held in April 2025, Aikaterini Grigoriou, Vice President of the State Legal Council, who serves in the State Legal Advisor’s Office at the Ministry of Culture, was called upon to respond to the concerns of the Monemvasia Friends Association, represented by Professor of Archaeology at New York University, Antonis Kotsanas.

The Greek scientist, as has been noted in the records reviewed by NEWS 24/7, emphasized that the specific project does not align with the identified problem regarding accessibility, nor with the history of the area. The intervention, he continued, is very large, involving rock excavations and two large buildings.

Ms. Grigoriou responded that the project does not involve rock excavations nor two large buildings. This statement appears to have been publicly contradicted on the ground.

A whole year passed, and the works began. Even someone unacquainted with the situation could observe that rock excavations were taking place on-site, and indeed, they are extensive.

On March 29th of the current year, the Monemvasia Friends Association wrote to the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, to KAS, and to other responsible officials.

“We are watching in disbelief the excavation works in Monemvasia for the construction of the cable car,” it states initially.

It continues: “From the moment the project was announced, both the international and domestic scientific community raised serious concerns, among other things, about the technical suitability of the choice and its impact on the monument. Unfortunately, these concerns were ignored. The result today is that the reality surpasses imagination, as the works began with unprecedented haste and sloppiness, without transparency and accountability, in a space designated as archaeological and a place of unparalleled natural beauty.”

And it is notably pointed out: “Not even the foreign conquerors of Monemvasia showed such destructive frenzy!”

The association has requested, among other things, that the rock excavations on the Rock of Monemvasia cease immediately. However, as of the writing of this article, such a thing has not occurred.

Therefore, it is logical that concerns about potential landslides are increasing rather than decreasing. It should be noted that, at an earlier time, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) had highlighted, in a relevant study, the existence of extensive unstable points in the rock mass of the Rock.

In fact, one of the most dangerous points identified by the NTUA team is located just a few meters from where the pillar is proposed to be constructed.

At the same time, as you can see in the photo below, wires have been placed to secure the rocks in steep areas.

Permit Sought…

However, a serious issue that requires answers from the relevant authorities has also arisen regarding the building permit for the 130 sq.m. station and the associated infrastructure.

At present, no one knows whether such a permit has been obtained by the contractor proceeding with the project. On March 27, the Monemvasia police department contacted the city’s municipality and the regional services to inquire, after complaints from residents, whether a permit truly exists.

It is notably stated: “According to a related document received by our service, it was reported that excavation and construction works are being carried out without any permit from the relevant authorities within the archaeological site of Monemvasia, a protected Natura area and monument. We kindly ask that the legality of these works be checked and that we receive any relevant permits or any exemption granted for this specific project, for our further actions.”

And that’s not all. Already, on February 17, in a written request by the contractor company for the issuance of a financial permit, the building department of the Monemvasia Municipality declared… “not competent.” “Our service does not have the authority to issue a pre-approval for building permits or a certification of building terms within an archaeological site,” it states. Clearly, nothing could be clearer than this.

To this day, the permit has not been provided, but nonetheless, the works continue. The construction site has been set up just 140 meters from the gate of the Castle Town, which is a major attraction for thousands of visitors every year.

Finally, a question for every concerned party (the contractor, the Monemvasia Municipal Authority):

Is it true that after a recent visit by Efthymios Lekkas, Emeritus Professor of Geology, the drill used for the works on the Rock was changed because the previous one was considered too “heavy”?

Also: Is there a risk that the funding for the project, which is financed by the Recovery Fund, could be lost or interrupted?