In her middle Didimi Islandone and a half nautical miles opposite her port Ermoupolisworth about Lighthouse of Syros. This is the oldest and highest lighthouse in the whole country, a monument-symbol of the Aegean Sea, more or less “lived” the history of modern Greece.

It was built 1834during her period reign of Otto from French Lighthouse Society, and had to be refurbished in 1948 as part of it was destroyed during World War II. Until the early 1980s, a retired merchant marine captain tells K, Iron MamidisThe lighthouse was powered by acetylene and with a 24-hour shift of lighthouse keepers. Then it was made automatic, and the lighthouse keepers were abolished.

“This is an amazing building, which, unfortunately, is falling apart today. The problem started when the lighthouse keepers who took care of the lighthouse maintenance were fired. Before 1982 The lighthouse was in excellent condition,” Mr. Mamidis says, describing the footage “yesterday” when, as a teenager, he and his group visited Lighthouse Island in a rowboat.

“It was not at all easy to sail on a boat, because there was no pier. But every time we did it, we saw ourselves as future captains! I remember the fear I experienced when we first went. He called us lighthouse keeper and after he cured us, he took us to the lighthouse. I was impressed by its large crystals, how well maintained the place was, even the building that housed the lighthouse keepers. It was neat apartment, with kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and dining room. I remember the kitchen was all marble.”

“Today’s picture is heartbreaking”

However, today’s situation is not at all like the situation of the 1980s. The landmark of Syros requires immediate intervention in order to preserve it for future generations. About two years ago, the architectural bureau of the island, its Mina Buyuri and his staff took the initiative to conduct a study on the current state of the Lighthouse, which he then donated Sea Club of Syros and in the municipality of the island, in the hope – at some point – that it will be used.

“His image up close is heartbreaking. The lighthouse was and remains in a very poor condition with many problems. They worked for three months, using very modern means. We recorded extensive cracks in the walls, disintegration and peeling of coatings, oxidation of reinforcement on the ceiling slab of the first floor, peeling and carbonization of concrete, damage to frames, damage to metal elements and glazing,” Mr. Buyuris told K. “When a building is exposed to such weather conditions, aging occurs faster. His rehabilitation must begin immediately,” he concludes.

Lighthouse Rescue Initiatives

Parallel initiatives were taken on the island to restore the Lighthouse and save it. Her efforts are exemplary Group of friends of the history of Syrosled by a journalist Panayoti KulubV. His acquaintance many years ago with Nikos Sidiropoulos, grandson of the last lighthouse keeper of Syros. before the conquest of the island by the Germans, and the stories he learned from him revived his interest in saving the Lighthouse.

“In my eyes, the Lighthouse of Syros ceases to be a simple, beautiful, extinct and forgotten lighthouse, but takes on the dimensions of a living legend. I’m beginning to realize that this is not just a building that no one cares about, but a real symbol,” Mr. Coulumbis tells K.

At the moment, feverish processes are underway to include the rescue of the Lighthouse in European programs as a newer monument.

Together with Nikos Sidiropoulos in 2014, they started some activities to make his story known. Among other things, they include the slogan “Save the Lighthouse” in major sporting and nautical events of the island, they establish contacts with its leaders Naval and also preparing a study for its restoration and reoperation.

“At the moment, feverish processes are underway to include the rescue of the Lighthouse in European programs as a newer monument,” Mr. Kulubis told K, expressing confidence that his information would soon be confirmed.

Initiatives have also been taken Captain Mamidisin order, he says, to raise the awareness of the authorities – the municipality of Syros and the fleet – about the rescue of the Lighthouse. “If it is not repaired soon, it will collapse at some point. An iron with a beacon will be put in its place, which will light up, and the building, which is a cultural heritage, will be lost,” he says.

Reference point

The concept of the Lighthouse has a huge symbolic meaning in our time. It illuminates “dark roads”, different for everyone.

The lighthouse of Syros with a 360-degree view “watches” the entire Aegean Sea. For the Syrian captain, this modest, “Doric” building was the starting point for the years of his wanderings. “His ‘eyes’ have seen too much. Thousands of sailboats and passenger ships then and now. Although we live in the era of GPS and electronic media, a beacon that can be seen from afar is always useful in navigation. For me, it was a reference point with the cars I drove in bad weather, rain, snow, storm. I looked at him and said that the port of Syros was right next to him, the steamer would arrive safely in a little while. In other words, it was also a consolation for me.”

For Minas Bugiuri, a civil engineer from Syros, the bet should not only be restored, but will soon be able to open its doors to visitors.

“The concept of the lighthouse has a huge symbolic meaning in our time. It illuminates “dark roads”, different for everyone. When we talk about lighthouses, we are talking about sources that light our way. Therefore, it is important that it be open to the world so that it can be visited and function as a monument. I hope we can do it.”