The "cable car - lift" of the Upper Town of Monemvasia

Original Article: https://www.monemvasianews.gr/to-teleferik-anavotorio-ths-anv-pol/

Despina Eugenidou, archaeologist, presents her own position regarding what has been written so far about the construction of the cable car at Monemvasia Castle. In a letter to her, he raises concerns and questions about a project he characterizes as "large and imposing", pointing out: " The success of preserving the character of the Castle is due to the balance between the preservation of the historical character and the controlled development of infrastructure that attracts visitors from all over world '.

Read below the letter of Ms. Eugenidou :

I was moved by the text of the well-known Monemvasian Panagiotis Alexakis, both for his interest in the Upper Town of Monemvasia and its monuments, as well as his sensitivity for the inclusion of disabled people. But let me be allowed even as a potter, although I have been visiting Monemvasia since 1982, as a private person, since 1995 as an archaeologist and later as a resident of the Municipality, to have some questions about the project.

The cable car that would solve part of the handicap accessibility problem in the Upper Town appears to be a large and imposing project for which no study has been presented. A vague preliminary environmental impact study put out for public consultation presents many problems.

The project, based on published information, covers 310 acres, and includes the construction of two large passenger service stations. Kato Polis station is described as a 230 sq.m. building. and a height of 12.5 m. And it will be partly underground with extensive excavating which is prohibited in the area, while three large pylons will be placed along the route of the cable cars. Are the cabins for 15 people? disproportionate number of obstructed persons and attendants.

Tassis Papaioannou
https://www.efsyn.gr/ellada/koinonia/419928_i-monembasia-kindyneyei-apo-anistorites-epembaseis
and https://www.efsyn.gr/ellada/koinonia/446135_se-poioys-hrisimeyei-teleferik- poy-oramatizetai-yppo

The cost of maintenance and operation of this project is also a big question mark for which the local government has not positioned itself.

This information creates great concern for a large project with huge unforeseen impacts, on the rock, on the monument, on the kind of desired visitation, on its sustainability. Before we witness a large and irreversible alteration of the historical rock, let a study be presented to dispel questions and suspicions of expediency, so as not to disturb so that the struggle of so many archaeologists and private individuals who in cooperation managed to keep the atmosphere of Kato is not lost City and the rock intact. In the 60s, when the castle was in an almost dilapidated state, proper management with partnerships and happy coincidences led to new solutions to preserve the atmosphere without losing its vitality and becoming a major tourist attraction, something quite rare for the Greek reality. Let's preserve it as best we can for future generations. This success is due to the balance between the preservation of the historical character and the controlled development of infrastructure that attracts visitors from all over the world.



It is true, in our country, the life of disabled people is difficult and they do not enjoy the best care that is due to them. Even the road leading from the Bridge to the Lower Town Gate, with its parked cars and vehicles going up and down is very dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicles. From October, the shuttle bus stops at 2:00 PM. making it difficult for everyone to access the Lower Town, where there are very important monuments and shops. The constant communication of the Bridge with the Lower City cannot be stopped so early. It seems that the cost of maintaining it is prohibitive when the tourist season is not at its peak. But how will the tourist season be extended? How will the operation and maintenance of the "cable car" be financially supported?

The Walks connecting the Lower and Upper Towns are in need of maintenance to prevent slippage and help visitors on this excellent walk that leads in an experiential way to the two-part Byzantine town that formed a whole. Byzantine castle-cities usually had this two-part or three-part design, lower and upper city and citadel.

Problems and specialized solutions and practices exist in the international literature, also since 2022 the basic principles of the Master Plan for the management of Monemvasia have been approved. Should we wait for the results so that we can understand the needs of the place and adjust the size and type of a possible elevator without burdening the rock with a project that is disproportionately large and burdensome for the environment and the monument?