Kambos is a unique agro-ecosystem where residences, agriculture, and auxiliary buildings coexist harmoniously. The area includes around 200 estates and a corresponding number of outbuildings, all surrounded by tall stone walls. The settlement contains historical buildings dating from the 14th to the 18th century, as well as neoclassical structures from the early 20th century, creating a site of remarkable beauty.
Today, Kambos is threatened by the inability of property owners to maintain and preserve their mansions, as well as bad decision-making regarding the area. Over the last ten years, orchards have been cleared, garden walls have been demolished, towers looted, and decorative elements inside and outside the mansions have been destroyed. In the near future, the planned expansion of the airport will result in the destruction of eleven wells and fifteen buildings. As a result of these threats, Kambos was listed among the 7 Most Endangered cultural heritage sites in Europe for 2016, a selection made by the Europa Nostra Council. This council consists of experts in history, archaeology, conservation, project analysis, and economics. To prevent further degradation of the historic settlement, a series of proposed actions covers areas such as restoration, infrastructure, cultivation, and traffic management. In January 2013, the “7 Most Endangered” program was launched by Europa Nostra in collaboration with the European Investment Bank Institute as a funding partner and the Council of Europe Development Bank as a cooperating partner, with the goal of saving this valuable cultural heritage.
