Local residents in a coastal Greek town have become furious over plans to develop a £5.6 million cable car, as it could threaten the heritage and character of the town
Plans to install a €6.8 million (£5.6 million) cable car in Greece have been met with fury by some residents and branded as ‘inappropriate’.
Experts and residents from Monemvasia in southern Greece have voiced their opposition to a planned cable car being installed in the medieval town. Likening the plans to a cable car up to the Acropolis, the suggestion has been dubbed as “an intrusive and inappropriate addition”, reports ekathimerini.com.
A public discussion organised by the Friends of Monemvasia Association, revealed concerns about overtourism and harm to the town’s unique character. Many critics, including local groups and architectural experts, have argued that the project prioritises tourism revenue over heritage.
In addition to concerns over harming the town, environmental and operational costs are estimated to be around €50,000 (£41,414.25) each year. This has also received criticism, with many locals noting existing issues in the region such as poor water supply and sewage infrastructure, as well as slippery cobbled streets.
Many have also argued that the project prioritises tourism over heritage.
The project does face legal challenges, as many people opposing the plans have filed an appeal to the Council of State and are seeking protection under Europa Nostra’s endangered heritage programme. Those opposing the proposed cable car are urging for a re-evaluation to prevent irreversible damage to Monemvasia’s heritage.
Earlier this month, Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute announced Monemvasia castle as one of 14 monuments and heritage sites in Europe shortlisted for this year’s edition of the ‘7 Most Endangered Programme’. Since its launch in 2013, the programme has become a leading civil society initiative dedicated to safeguarding Europe’s endangered heritage.
According to the website for the ‘7 Most Endangered Programme’, the Castle of Monemvasia is perched on a massive limestone rock with steep cliffs, and the rock is connected to the mainland by an isthmus and a bridge.
The website also states: “The main threat for Monemvasia currently lies in a plan for a cable car promoted by the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Monemvasia. According to ELLINIKI ETAIRIA – Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, which nominated the Castle of Monemvasia to the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2025, the cable car project clearly risks diminishing the environmental and cultural value of the overall site, depreciating the experience of visitors, and threatening the visual integrity of the landscape.
“The available “Study of Environmental Repercussions” lacks clarity and detail on the project’s impact on fauna and flora, on noise pollution and traffic congestion; overall, the project seems to be more inspired by profit-making than accessibility considerations, although the project was included in a programme concerning the access of disabled people.
“The threat posed by the cable car project has raised major concerns and has attracted public statements and press releases by a series of institutions, including ICOMOS, The Association of Greek Archaeologists and Monumenta. Numerous institutions and individuals have undertaken, or are planning to undertake, a range of actions to enable the local community of Monemvasia, the municipality, the Greek state, and international audiences to recognise the threat posed by the cable car project to both the environment and the cultural heritage of the Castle of Monemvasia.”
