It was an autumn morning in October, several years ago, in Castello Rosso, in Karysto of southern Evia. The metal gate at first sight was closed. After a few steps, to our pleasant surprise, the entrance to the impressive castle was free of charge for those who did not mind the small climb.
Thinking of the solidity of the stone walls that centuries ago provided safety for those who crowded behind them, the easy access inside felt like an unconditional surrender. No security guard, no ticket counter, no informational sign, except of a fire hazard sign.
In the course of the following years, other similar experiences followed in visits to wonderful cultural monuments of our country, Greece. The most recent one in Konitsa at the residential complex of Hamkos. Monuments of historical and political heritage, for which significant financial resources (European and domestic) were spent, as we are often informed by oversized signs, for their restoration, maintenance and promotion.
But then, in my humble opinion, the gears stop turning. The mechanism stops. Sometimes with unlocked gates, without a guard at the entrance, sometimes tightly closed with a posted operating schedule, which does not correspond to reality (like a not-so-distant summer in castle of Platamonas). Indifference, which in some cases amounts to abandonment, encourages wear and tear and perhaps vandalism.
Within this alalum, few, commendable guardians with a dual role of guarding and guiding (e.g. Byzantine Saint Sophia of Monemvasia castle) and some volunteers are doing their best to clean up the situation.
Dear fellow travelers, the historical-cultural legacies of our people, domestic or otherwise, influence and origin, constitute a treasure which is a beacon of our collective memory. Its’ light illuminated our knowledge, values, traditions and can continue with claims to do so for everyone. Our cultural and historical heritage is passed down from generation to generation. Our monuments stoically await their heirs, to discover them, to respect them and to exploit them.
The article was written by friend and traveler Georgios Kafantaris! We thank him very much for underlining through his article the need to raise awareness and the responsibility next generations have for the preservation, promotion and exploitation of the cultural heritage as a valuable treasure for the future.
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