Meeting with the Minister of Culture: Priorities for the Ancient Quarries

On 30.9.2026, a meeting was held between the Mayor of Paros Mr. Bizas and the Minister of Culture Mrs. Mendoni, which was also attended by representatives of the NGO Ancient Quarries (AMKE). It was an important development that allowed these three sides to prioritise and coordinate the most important of the interventions promoted for the protection and promotion of the ancient quarries in Marathi. In addition to the prominent issue of protecting and improving the stability of the Nymphs quarry, there was agreement from all sides to promote a package of measures for the promotion of the first section of the Panos quarry and to investigate the possibility of intervention in the largest of the industrial buildings from the period of the exploitation of the quarries in the 19th century.

It should be noted that, at the initiative of AMKE and funded by the A. & M. Martinos Foundation, the installation of instrumental monitoring of the southern gallery of the Nymphs Quarry is soon to be completed and the implementation of strengthening measures in the two historical buildings located at the entrances to the Nymphs quarry (known as “winch stations”) has also been approved.

AMKE has already signed a Cooperation Protocol with the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades and collaborates closely with the Municipality of Paros and local cultural associations. On 17/7/26, representatives of AMKE presented its activities to the Municipal Council and there was a favourable acceptance of the report of its work and a positive response from all parties to the proposal for the creation of an Ancient Quarries Park, in collaboration with the Municipality. Such a cultural park will be able to offer archaeological walks and guided tours, periodic and permanent sculpture exhibitions, cultural events (concerts, lectures, etc.), resting and information points for visitors, organised parking and much more.