In a significant development regarding the future of the cable car project at the Castle of Monemvasia, uncertainty looms following a recent decision by the Council of State. The court has suspended the execution of the project until the hearing of annulment requests, which is scheduled for September 24, 2025.
The requests for both suspension and annulment were filed by the «Friends of Monemvasia Association,» a group that has consistently opposed any intervention on the historic rock. Their concerns highlight the potential impact of such a construction on the integrity and preservation of this culturally significant site.
This latest ruling raises doubts about the feasibility of completing the cable car project within the timelines set by the Recovery and Resilience Fund. The implications of this decision could delay the project significantly, as adhering to the established schedules may now prove challenging.
As the situation develops, stakeholders and the local community await further clarity on the future of this ambitious project, which aims to enhance accessibility to the historic site while balancing the need for preservation.
Heritage and Environmental Considerations
Several heritage and environmental organisations—including Friends of Monemvasia Association, ICOMOS, the Association of Greek Archaeologists, Monumenta, and the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage—have called attention to the proposed development.
They note the construction of gondolas, support pylons, and concrete stations within a protected archaeological zone could alter the site’s historical fabric and visual integrity, now the city is clasiffied as one of the 7 most endangered places in Europe.
According to one observer, the Lower Town station would occupy approximately 230 m² with a height of around 12.5 m, necessitating significant excavation—actions potentially at odds with preservation regulations monemvasiasociety.com.
Archaeologists and specialists have expressed concern that the cable car’s presence, inside the protected island and especially near the main gate, would become a prominent visual feature—detracting from priceless historic views.
One specialized architect warned that the Upper Town station “would completely ruin the site”, comparing its scale to an amusement-park installation more than a cultural aid.
What Makes Monemvasia Unique — and What May Be Overlooked
Historic Ambience
Monemvasia is one of the oldest continuously inhabited and fortified medieval towns in the world. What sets it apart is its remarkably preserved architectural identity: no modern buildings, no visible signs of recent development, no vehicular traffic, and a landscape dominated by Byzantine churches, stone-built homes, and narrow cobbled pathways. These features are not merely rare—they are virtually unique. Globally, only two other sites are known to exhibit a similar level of historical integrity and architectural continuity. Visitors often describe the experience of walking through Monemvasia as stepping into a living museum, untouched by time. The authenticity of this setting has drawn the attention of preservation experts worldwide.
Night-Time Sky Quality
With a surrounding sea and no industrial or large-scale urban development nearby, Monemvasia is one of the few remaining inhabited places in Europe where light pollution is nearly nonexistent. As a result, both residents and visitors can enjoy a vivid night sky, often clear enough to see the Milky Way with the naked eye. However, experts have raised concerns about recently installed municipal lighting—particularly in the adjacent area of Gefira. The inconsistent use of different type of lightning in the kastro, specifically the use of cold-white LED fixtures, rather than the warmer tones recommended by UNESCO for heritage sites, has been criticized for disrupting the historical ambiance. Preservation bodies emphasize the importance of lighting temperature and intensity, noting that inappropriate lighting can undermine efforts to conserve visual heritage integrity.
Bay Health
Environmental observers and local residents have reported growing concerns about the health of Monemvasia’s bay. Plastic waste and other pollutants are increasingly visible in the coastal waters every day, with heavy winds and normal weather of the region often exacerbating the problem. Open trash bins—especially during stormy periods typical of the region—result in significant amounts of plastic being swept into the sea. Despite these reports, there are currently no environmental remediation plans directly associated with the cable car project. Critics argue that addressing pollution in the bay is urgent and its surrounding marine environment should be a top priority, given its ecological importance and its role in the town’s aesthetic and cultural value.
References:
Cable‑car plan & cost:
Historic town of Monemvasia to acquire cable car – budgeted at €6,800,360 under the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1201505/historic-town-of-monemvasia-to-acquire-cable-car/
Cable car project divides historic castle town – budget and annual cost details
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1261756/
Approvals & KAS minutes:
Final studies for the Monemvasia Castle Lift approved – outlines station placement, integration and KAS endorsements
https://www.ered.gr/real-estate-news/final-studies-for-the-monemvasia-castle-lift-approved
Cable car installation for the Upper Town of Monemvasia Castle – EIA approval by Central Archaeological Council
https://en.protothema.gr/2024/09/10/cable-car-installation-for-the-upper-town-of-monemvasia-castle/
Opposition & legal challenges:
Cable car project divides historic castle town – mentions local legal appeals and Europa Nostra listing
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1261756/
This medieval Greek fortress is a tourist idyll. Would a cable car spoil it? (NY Times via ekathimerini) – reports legal cases and Europa Nostra inclusion
https://www.ekathimerini.com/nytimes/1271016/this-medieval-greek-fortress-is-a-tourist-idyll-would-a-cable-car-spoil-it/
Fury as £5.6m megaplan… branded ‘inappropriate’ – emphasises Europa Nostra endangered listing and legal appeal
https://newsvoice.info/article/page/mirror/travel/europe/fury-56m-megaplan-little-known-34717021
Infrastructure issues & quotes:
Cable car project divides historic castle town – includes comments on water, sewage, lighting deficits and resident quotes
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1261756/
This medieval Greek fortress is a tourist idyll… – includes resident perspective: “It’s no use having a cable car if you have to tell tourists they can’t take a shower.”
https://www.ekathimerini.com/nytimes/1271016/this-medieval-greek-fortress-is-a-tourist-idyll-would-a-cable-car-spoil-it/
Mayor dismisses critics of Monemvasia cable car – outlines mayor’s view on project scale and integration
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/environment/1262217/mayor-dismisses-critics-of-monemvasia-cable-car/
Alternatives & heritage agenda:
Monemvasia: New Lift Revitalizes the Upper Town – describes the smaller lift pilot already used during renovations
https://en.protothema.gr/2024/09/23/monemvasia-new-lift-revitalizes-the-upper-town/
Press release by Friends of Monemvasia – suggests replacing cable car with tested lift and questions financial viability
https://www.monemvasiasociety.com/press-release-on-the-controversial-cable-car-project-for-the-archaeological-site-of-monemvasia-greece
Other Sources for broader context and site details:
Monemvasia: New Lift Revitalizes the Upper Town
https://en.protothema.gr/2024/09/23/monemvasia-new-lift-revitalizes-the-upper-town/
Historic Castle Town of Monemvasia, Greece to Get a Cable Car
https://greekreporter.com/2024/04/06/monemvasia-greece-cable-car/
Medieval Greek Town Debates Cable Car Proposal
https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/02/19/medieval-greek-town-debates-cable-car-proposal/
Cable car installation details and EIA approval
https://en.protothema.gr/2024/09/10/cable-car-installation-for-the-upper-town-of-monemvasia-castle/
Coverage in Tornos News and Simagazin – (search those sites for «Monemvasia cable car»)
GreekReporter article – repeated above
