Ancient Quarries Update

The AMKE “Paros Ancient Marble Quarries Park” held its annual General Assembly on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the courtyard of the former Marathi Primary School.

It marked the completion of three years of operation of the AMKE and was open to local organisations, residents and friends of Paros and included the inauguration of a permanent photography exhibition on the theme of ancient quarries and the awarding of the title of Honorary Member to Mr. Jeremy Downward in recognition of his contribution to the protection and promotion of the Ancient Quarries.

The Board of Directors of the AMKE expresses its warm thanks for their active participation to the Mayor of Paros Mr. Costas Bizas and to the representatives of the associations P.E.S. “Ag. Minas”, P.S. “Archilochos”, Friends of Paros and Antiparos, Paros – Antiparos Hoteliers’ Association and all other citizens of Paros who participated.

The main points from the annual report of AMKE are summarised below.

The fundraising campaign in the summer of 2024 allowed AMKE to exchange contracts for the acquisition of the site (​​45,000 m²) which contains the entrances to the Nymphs’ Quarry. Based on this, the AMKE obtained the right of possession and use of the property and therefore interventions and improvements can now take place. Accordingly, structural stabilisation works are already planned on the two historic buildings (‘winch stations’) at the entrances to the Quarry for which funding has been secured from AMKE resources and donations.

The Board of Directors of AMKE expressed its warm thanks to the over 50 donors who actively supported this initiative to resolve the ownership issue that had been outstanding for more than a decade.

Furthermore, with the expected resolution of the ownership issue of the forested part of the site, the full acquisition will become possible with the payment by the Municipality of Paros of the balance of the price which has been included in the Municipality’s budget for 2025.

In another positive development, the AMKE AIGEAS (A & M Martinos Foundation) has kindly offered a donation for the purchase and installation of a specialised instrument system to monitor the stability of the southern underground gallery of the Nymphs quarry.

Moreover, AMKE has prepared a package of interventions that focus on improving the main l entrance of the archaeological area as well as the footpaths, the creation of a central square, configurations of the entrances of the Quarries of Nymphs and Pan and the upgrading of the parking facilities. Their implementation will proceed as soon as the necessary approvals and funding are secured.

It is worth underlining that the main project of digital applications for underground quarries, prepared by AMKE (including virtual visits), is proceeding and will be implemented by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades with funding from a programme of the South Aegean Region.

The Assembly closed with a discussion and proposals from the participants. These include a proposal to equip the former school in Marathi as a starting point for the promotion of the Ancient Quarries (lectures, exhibitions, history).