In a move to safeguard its natural and cultural heritage, the entire Aegean island of Polyaigos in Greece has been designated as an archaeological site by the country’s Culture Ministry’s Central Archaeological Council (KAS).
This declaration, made in response to concerns about potential development, aims to halt any construction plans on what is the largest uninhabited island in the Cycladic cluster.
This new designation also establishes the marine area of Sykia Bay as an underwater archaeological zone. Located just 1.1 nautical miles southeast of Kimolos and 3.8 nautical miles east of Milos, Polyaigos is a significant habitat for various species and has long been recognized for its exceptional natural beauty.
Polyaigos island is part of the EU’s Natura 2000 program
The island, whose name fittingly translates to “many goats” due to its primary use as a pasture, is a key part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 program. It is an undisturbed habitat and has been declared a Special Protection Area for the Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae).
Polyaigos also serves as a critical birthing ground for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). These existing protections further underscore the importance of the recent archaeological designation in preserving this unique ecosystem.
The decision was prompted by a formal complaint from the Hellenic Society for Environment and Culture (ELLET), which warned against unchecked development and urged the government to deny building permits.
The organization stressed that Polyaigos is not merely a “plot of land for exploitation,” but a unique natural and cultural treasure that requires special environmental protection. ELLET argued that any construction for tourism would cause irreparable environmental damage and reverse decades of conservation work.
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