Diethnes synedrio Hē ochyrōmatikē architektonikē sto Aigaio kai ho Mesaiōnikos Oikismos Anavatou Chiou

"At the height of European tourism, Chios with its picturesque medieval settlements, unique landscape, fragrant orchards, as well as its refined inhabitants, was a real magnet for visitors, who on their way to the Ottoman metropolises did not miss the established stop on the island. Today, the unique Byzantine, Genoese and traditional architectural heritage of Chios, is still a unique pole of attraction in the development of sustainable cultural tourism, which is gradually developing through targeted actions and interventions of the Greek state throughout the Archipelago. Despite the obvious difficulties of maintaining and highlighting the fortifications, due to the size of the complexes, the extent of the damage, but also the substantial devaluation of their use, they retain an unsurpassed charm, loaded with national memories, local stories, myths and legends. Their generally inaccessible location, as by definition the fortresses are inaccessible, creates significant technical challenges in their restoration, but at the same time is a component of the particular cultural landscape in which they are part. Historic, active, settlements, many of which present a peculiar form of fortification with particularly narrow streets and houses in continuous construction to be integrated or constitute a perimeter firewall, also present a number of specific problems, which in turn require the specific operations both at institutional and administrative level, as well as at technical level. The onslaught of tourism and the indiscriminate utilization of the natural and cultural environment to attract an increasing number of visitors, but also seasonal residents, in systems with finite bearing capacity leads, we would say, to the "disgrace of the landscape" with difficult reversible effects on aesthetics, architectural, historical, environmental and educational values ​​of the historical ensembles. For that reason, The Archaeological Service has been exercising strict control for many decades, often at significant cost, social and political, and even personal to its members. At the same time, the risk of "museuming" these living cells, with the imposition of extremely strict restrictions that eradicate modern life, as well as those sections of the population that can not afford to respond, is equally real. The reflection on finding the best solutions, but also new tools to address these great challenges, can not have as a starting point despite the solid knowledge of the monuments. A knowledge that results from the research and the interdisciplinary dialogue between the experts, in conferences, such as the one organized in collaboration with the 3rd Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities and the competent Scientific Committee, whose credits are managed by the Credit Management Fund for the Execution of Archaeological Works, on the occasion and starting point the work of the Rider. A project that, upon completion, will offer the visitor again, unadulterated, a complex creation of human interaction with his environment."--