Τ he terrace is one of the most distinctive features of the Mediterranean landscape, the result of generations of hard work and a craft that is slowly disappearing. The best way to appreciate the importance of dry stone walling is to try building a few metres yourself!

With these thoughts in mind, more than 40 people were introduced to the art of dry stone wall restoration by taking part in workshops held over three consecutive weekends in October along the Egrigoros–Agiasmata trail.

The workshops were led by master stonemasons Valantis Boïs and Hippocrates Kostoglou, resulting in the restoration of 50 m² of dry stone walls along sections of the trail above Agia Kyriaki, as well as at Agios Ioannis Prodromos. The work began with clearing the rubble and sorting the stones, followed by carefully putting them back in place. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of traditional dry stone construction techniques and the challenges involved!

The workshop series concluded with a hike along the trail, organised in collaboration with the Friends of Chios Trails. More than 70 of us stopped at the restored dry stone walls to discuss the importance of preserving this ancestral craft, which is also a living part of the area’s history.

The workshops were organised by the Thermai Agiasmaton Social Cooperative Enterprise, the Astifides group, and Chios Hiking, helping support local businesses in the Amani region and increase visitor numbers to the Agiasmata thermal baths.