In a festive and moving atmosphere, on 25 October 2025 in Naxos, the outstanding restoration of the historic residence Kampones 1615 was honored with the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2025, co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme.
Among 251 nominations for 2025, 30 exceptional projects from 24 countries were selected, with Kampones 1615 standing out as the only private residence recognized in the category “Conservation and Adaptive Reuse.”
The award was presented by Lydia Carras, President and Founder of the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET), which officially represents Europa Nostra in Greece.
In her speech, Ms. Carras emphasized the importance of monument restoration and the positive environmental impact of gentle, adaptive reuse.
According to the restoration architects, Maria Magnisali and Themistoklis Bilis, the private Venetian tower in Naxos preserves five centuries of architectural, agricultural, and cultural heritage.
Using traditional techniques and authentic materials that had collapsed — such as marble, lintels, beams, casings, and window headers— the team strengthened the structural integrity of the residence and its agricultural buildings.
Once the summer residence of Michel Sanudo, the property — with its double chapel and farm buildings, and now owned by Thanassis Karavias and Sophia Emmanouil — has been brought back to life without altering its original form.
Greetings and congratulations were extended by Naxos Regional Councillor Giannis Margaritis and Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos.
Former Minister of Culture Elisavet Papazoi also warmly congratulated the Karavias family for their dedication to preserving and continuously using the estate — an effort already recognized with the European Award for Sustainable Cultural Heritage and the Philippe Rotthier European Architecture Award.
The award ceremony was accompanied by an exhibition of local products, folk art, and music.
The display of traditional embroidery was curated by Andriani Vasilaki, while the Children’s Art Workshop, coordinated by Filippa Florka, invited children to paint and depict the estate’s unique landscape.
The talented pianist Andreas Sarantidis–Dudnikov created a magical atmosphere, performing works by Chopin, Schubert, Rachmaninoff, and Beethoven.
Guests also enjoyed honey and olive oil tastings from local producers Gavriil Kondylis and Kostas Karavias, while the event concluded with a garden lunch, featuring local cuisine prepared by the talented Anna Vasilaki.
