Greece Bans Airbnbs And Conversions For Milos’ Iconic Boat Garages To Preserve Heritage

Published on October 24, 2025

The Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy successful Greece has announced caller measures aimed astatine preserving 1 of Milos’ astir unique features: nan accepted vessel garages known arsenic “syrmata.” These colorful, seaside structures, peculiarly located successful nan colony of Mandraki, person go a hallmark of nan island’s charm and taste heritage. To safeguard their humanities value and forestall alterations owed to commercialized tourism practices, nan Greek authorities has begun classifying these vessel garages arsenic protected practice sites. This move is intended to forestall their conversion into tourer accommodations, specified arsenic Airbnbs, which would change their original character.

The caller regulations travel arsenic portion of a broader effort by nan Ministry to protect nan unsocial and taste aspects of Milos, a celebrated Greek land successful nan Aegean Sea. The first 58 vessel garages successful Mandraki person been officially designated arsenic protected practice sites, a determination published successful nan Government Gazette. This marks an important measurement successful preserving nan section architectural style and practice of Milos, which draws visitors from astir nan world for its earthy beauty and rich | history.

Preserving nan Tradition of Syrmata

The syrmata are small, often rock-carved, seaside structures traditionally utilized by section fishermen to shop their boats during nan wintertime months. These structures, which are typically astir six meters successful length, are a basal portion of Milos’ taste identity, embodying nan island’s long-standing relationship pinch nan oversea and sportfishing traditions. The brightly painted doors, usually successful shades of blue, green, aliases yellow, springiness nan syrmata a vibrant, picturesque look that has go synonymous pinch nan island.

Historically, these vessel garages served arsenic basal retention spaces for nan fishermen’s vessels, protecting them from nan harsh wintertime weather. Over time, nan syrmata evolved into a awesome of Milos’ unsocial architectural vernacular, adding to nan island’s charm. The striking ocular entreaty of nan syrmata, mixed pinch their taste and humanities significance, has made them 1 of nan astir recognizable features of nan island.

The Threat of Commercialization

In caller years, nan accelerated maturation of tourer accommodation options specified arsenic Airbnbs has led to expanding concerns astir nan imaginable commercialization and alteration of these practice sites. With nan emergence of short-term rental properties, galore of nan accepted structures, including syrmata, person been adapted aliases repurposed for tourer use, often pinch small respect for preserving their original character.

The Greek government, successful collaboration pinch section authorities, has acted decisively to reside these concerns. By designating nan syrmata arsenic protected practice sites, nan Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy intends to sphere nan authentic quality of Milos’ coastal villages and guarantee that early generations tin acquisition nan island’s accepted architecture and taste legacy.

First 58 Syrmata Declared Protected

The first 58 syrmata successful Mandraki person been officially classified arsenic protected practice sites, a move that has been met pinch support from some section residents and taste preservationists. This determination ensures that these structures will stay preserved and inaccessible to commercialized development, specified arsenic conversion into tourer rentals. By placing them nether ineligible protection, nan Greek authorities has safeguarded nan syrmata from being altered aliases destroyed, maintaining nan island’s unsocial humanities and taste landscape.

The inaugural is portion of a broader effort to sphere nan accepted measurement of life connected Milos while supporting sustainable tourism practices. The syrmata’s protection besides aligns pinch Greece’s committedness to maintaining nan integrity of its taste landmarks, particularly connected islands wherever tourism has had a increasing effect connected section communities and environments.

Support from Local Communities and Stakeholders

Local stakeholders, including nan Municipality of Milos, person expressed their support for nan move, recognizing nan value of preserving nan island’s practice for some residents and visitors. The protection of nan syrmata will let early generations to link pinch nan island’s rich | sportfishing traditions and taste heritage.

In addition, nan Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy has been moving pinch different authorities agencies to beforehand sustainable tourism connected Milos, encouraging visitors to research nan island’s humanities and taste landmarks without disrupting nan section measurement of life. By focusing connected preserving nan accepted architecture of Milos, nan authorities hopes to equilibrium nan needs of tourism pinch nan protection of nan island’s unsocial heritage.

Milos: A Model for Sustainable Tourism and Heritage Preservation

Milos’ efforts to protect its syrmata vessel garages tin service arsenic a exemplary for different destinations successful Greece and astir nan world, wherever accepted architecture and section cultures look expanding unit from wide tourism. The protection of these structures highlights nan value of preserving taste practice while supporting sustainable tourism practices that respect section traditions and environments.

In summation to nan syrmata, Milos is location to a wealthiness of different humanities and earthy attractions, including its stunning beaches, volcanic landscapes, and archaeological sites. The island’s committedness to preserving its unsocial practice and earthy beauty will proceed to make it a sought-after destination for travelers seeking some taste enrichment and earthy exploration.

Conclusion: A Step Towards Preserving Milos’ Unique Identity

The preservation of nan syrmata vessel garages of Milos has awesome taste value to nan island. It besides important to nan Greek nation’s taste identity. Protecting nan magnificently shaped garages intends nan sportfishing manufacture on pinch nan exceptional coastal surface science of Milos will beryllium preserved for nan future. Tourism continues to summation successful Greece, truthful sites for illustration nan syrmata must beryllium preserved. Milos guides Greece, successful utilizing tourism to beautify nan state while besides preserving important taste sites. Other sites tin besides usage Milos arsenic a guideline to sphere important parts of their history on pinch promoting tourism.