The Site

Salamis Island, located in the Saronic Gulf near Athens, holds an exceptional place in Greek history. It was the site of the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC, where the Athenian-led allied Greek fleet, commanded by Themistocles, secured a decisive naval victory against the Persian Empire, altering the course of Western history. The island is also traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Ajax the Great and Euripides, with the latter’s birth popularly linked to the day of the battle. Today, Salamis continues to play a strategic role as the home of the Salamis Naval Base, headquarters of the Hellenic Navy, reinforcing its historical connection to maritime power.

Beyond its military past, Salamis possesses a rich archaeological heritage and a diverse cultural landscape, shaped by its natural environment and historical uses. Among its most noteworthy sites is the Mycenaean Acropolis of Kanakia, where excavations ongoing since 2000 have revealed a palatial complex and remnants of a settlement from the Mycenaean period. Believed to be the Mycenaean capital of the island, the site features a double mansion with thirty-three rooms on four levels, which showcases its importance as a political and administrative centre in antiquity. The archaeological site is surrounded by a network of historic footpaths, which once facilitated movement across the island and continue to serve as routes for visitors and researchers exploring Salamis' past.

Salamis is also renowned for its natural beauty, featuring coastal landscapes, forested hills, and protected ecosystems. Its combination of archaeological sites, traditional pathways, and scenic surroundings makes it a cultural landscape of immense value. However, rapid urbanisation, tourism, and environmental pressures pose challenges to the preservation of these natural and historic elements, necessitating sustained conservation efforts.

The ELLINIKI ETAIRIA – Society for the Environment & Cultural Heritage has been at the forefront of preserving Greece’s natural and cultural heritage since 1972. As the only non-governmental organisation in Greece addressing both environmental and cultural conservation, ELLINIKI ETAIRIA has played a vital role in safeguarding iconic landscapes and heritage sites. Among its most notable achievements are the protection of Delphi, the Prespa Lakes, the Tatoi estate, and the ancient tower of Kea, as well as the revitalisation of historic settlements such as Hydra. As the official representative of Europa Nostra in Greece. it manages the Athens Heritage Hub – Europa Nostra’s regional hub connecting heritage organisations across Southeastern Europe, Türkiye, and the Caucasus. With a strong focus on youth, the Athens Heritage Hub is dedicated to empowering the next generation of heritage actors and fostering cross-border collaboration, recognising cultural heritage as a powerful tool in addressing climate change and environmental challenges.

One of ELLINIKI ETAIRIA’s flagship initiatives is the “Greek Paths of Culture” project, since 2010 dedicated to restoring and promoting historic footpaths that were once vital for the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas. This project aligns heritage conservation with sustainability and community engagement, ensuring that abandoned or endangered pathways are revitalised for both local residents and visitors. The circular route around the Mycenaean Acropolis of Kanakia, where the European Heritage Volunteers Project will take place, is part of this broader effort to reconnect communities with their cultural landscapes.

The Project

The European Heritage Volunteers Project in Salamis will focus on the preservation, accessibility, and sustainable management of the cultural landscape surrounding the Mycenaean Acropolis of Kanakia. The project will engage participants in practical conservation work, reinforcing the significance of cultural routes as living heritage while addressing the broader theme of sustainability in heritage conservation.

The conservation efforts will take place along the historic footpath encircling the Mycenaean Acropolis of Kanakia, an archaeological site of exceptional importance. Over time, natural overgrowth has compromised the accessibility and condition of the route, necessitating interventions to ensure its preservation and usability. Participants will undertake clearing, maintenance, and the installation of new signposts, allowing visitors to navigate the site safely while minimising environmental impact. To improve accessibility, the project will also include the construction of small wooden steps along key sections of the path, as well as the assembly of a wooden kiosk at a panoramic viewpoint, offering an enhanced experience for visitors. The practical work will be divided across these three tasks, with the majority of the effort dedicated to clearing and marking the footpath, followed by step construction and the final assembly of the kiosk.

Beyond the physical re-creation of the pathway, the project aims to contribute to a broader understanding of conservation and management of cultural landscapes. The participants will engage in discussions on sustainable management of cultural landscapes, the long-term impact of climate change on cultural landscapes and heritage sites, and the importance of integrating environmental considerations into heritage preservation strategies. These themes will be explored through guided visits, discussions with experts, and engagement with local stakeholders, providing a holistic perspective on the challenges of balancing sustainable landscape management, tourism, and community involvement.

The educational programme will extend beyond the technical aspects of footpath re-creation, offering the participants the opportunity to explore Salamis’ broader cultural and natural heritage. Guided visits to other historical and natural sites on the island will widen the perspective towards history, archaeology, and other related topics. Meetings with various professionals in the field will introduce the participants to best practices in landscape management, heritage conservation, visitors’ management, and other related topics.

An important component of the project will be the participants’ presentations, where they will share case studies from their home countries related to the conservation and sustainable management of cultural landscapes. These presentations which will be linked with a public event will allow for comparative discussions on the role of traditional pathways and historic landmarks in community identity, the balance between the historic roots of cultural landscapes and the environmental pressure caused by actual challenges, and the relevance of aspects of sustainability in cultural landscapes. The exchange of experiences will enrich the participants’ understanding of international approaches to sustainable landscape conservation and management, reinforcing the broader mission of the project.

The project will take place from September 1st to September 13th, 2025, and is jointly organised by European Heritage Volunteers and ELLINIKI ETAIRIA – Society for the Environment & Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with Municipality of Salamis.