Ai Stratis Earthquake-hit Village to be Restored

Agios Efstratios. Photo Source: Municipality of Agios Efstratios

A village on the North Aegean island of Agios Efstratios (known as Ai Stratis)  is set, according to a presidential decree, to be restored 50 years after a fatal earthquake struck in 1968 destroying more than 2,000 buildings.

The decree designates the Palio Horio as a preserved settlement and foresees the reconstruction and restoration of 18,200m2 of public and private buildings, communal areas and underground networks budgeted at over 3 million euros, 2.5 million euros of which are from EU sources.

“We will redevelop a neglected area giving momentum for growth on a remote border island… This is a new beginning, 50 years later,” said North Aegean Region Governor Christiana Kalogirou.

At the same time, the Agios Efstratios Municipality has developed a program to promote the once-deserted village, offer incentives for permanent residency and attract investments. Reconstruction will focus on preserving the initial architecture of the island village while installing the latest infrastructure.