Polyaigos Declared as Protected Archaeological Site

The news in Greek

1. χωρίς
   με στέρηση ή απουσία κάτι ↩︎
2. οικολογικός
   σχετικός με το περιβάλλον και την εξέταση των αλληλεπιδράσεων στο φυσικό κόσμο ↩︎
3. ανησυχώ
   αισθάνομαι ανησυχία ή φόβο για κάτι που μπορεί να συμβεί ↩︎
4. υπουργός  (m.)
   άτομο που ηγείται ενός υπουργείου σε μια κυβέρνηση ↩︎
5. υποδομή  (f.)
   δομές και εγκαταστάσεις που απαιτούνται για την υποστήριξη της λειτουργικότητας μιας κοινωνίας ή ενός οργανισμού ↩︎
6. προστασία  (f.)
   η πράξη της διατήρησης κάτι ασφαλούς από βλάβες ή κινδύνους ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What is the main purpose of declaring Polyaigos as a protected site?

Question 2: Who agreed to keep Polyaigos without infrastructure for its protection?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
χωρίς	without
οικολογικός	ecological
ανησυχώ	worry
υπουργός  (m.)	minister
υποδομή  (f.)	infrastructure
προστασία  (f.)	protection

Read the full story

The pristine island of Polyaigos, situated slightly more than a nautical mile southeast of Kimolos in the Cyclades, has been officially declared an archaeological site following a unanimous decision by the Central Archaeological Council (KAS). This move marks a significant step in preserving the untouched nature of this uninhabited island, recently spotlighted in Greek media reports.

The announcement, made on the afternoon of 3rd September 2025, aims to halt any potential plans for infrastructure development that had raised concerns among environmental organisations and local residents. These concerns were fueled by reports suggesting the possibility of tourism-focused development on Polyaigos, which is renowned for its natural beauty and ecological significance.

Polyaigos spans approximately 18.1 square kilometres and is recognised as a “Site of Outstanding Natural Beauty“. It is part of the Natura 2000 network, designated as a Special Protection Zone due to its rich biodiversity, including vital habitats for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus-Monachus).

The Greek Ministry of Culture, guided by Minister Lina Mendoni, plans to reinforce this protection by classifying Polyaigos as an undisturbed Zone A, which prohibits construction to preserve the island’s archaeological and environmental integrity. Current regulations only permit restoration of existing structures and activities related to national defence, archaeology, scientific research, or environmental protection.

The decision to declare Polyaigos an archaeological site follows persistent advocacy from the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture, responding to alarming developments regarding property rights and prospective tourism investment on the island. The potential transformation of Polyaigos into a commercial hub had alarmed nearby island communities, echoing past controversies over development projects in regions like Sarakiniko, Milos.

Historically, the island hosted a small population up until the 1970s, with its sole notable structure being a 200-year-old lighthouse. With this recent declaration by KAS, the entirety of Polyaigos, including the marine area of the Sykias bay on its southeastern coast, will be preserved as a timeless archaeological treasure within the Aegean.

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