The Cyclades islands in the central Aegean, and in particular the serene isles of Serifos, Sifnos and Folegandros, have been short-listed for Europa Nostra’s “7 Most Endangered programme” for 2024.
The program, an ongoing partnership between Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute (EIBI) since 2013, seeks to identify endangered monuments and sites in Europe and then mobilize public and private partners to secure a viable future for them.
In presenting the candidates, organizers cited particular concern for the “smaller island destinations within the Cyclades, which bear the brunt of overtourism. The strain on infrastructure and the escalating demand for accommodation present significant challenges. The clamour for new constructions beyond settlement boundaries has reached unprecedented levels…”
The Cyclades group was nominated by the Athens-based Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage – Elliniki Etairia.
Within the Cyclades chain, the small uninhabited islet of Delos is already an UNESCO World Heritage site.
