Events Held in Kea to Raise Awareness of 4th c. B.C. Tower and Environs
The Agia Marina Tower
Various presentations were organized on Kea, Friday and Saturday, September 4 and 5, by SKAI -TV, The Greek Association for Protection of the Environment and Culture, and the Municipality of the island Kea.  The goal was to raise public consciousness about the need to preserve and develop cultural resources on the island, particularly the 4th century B.C. tower of Agia Marina and its environs.  This tower was one of the best preserved monuments of its kind, until it was damaged by an earthquake in the mid-19th century and, more recently, suffered further devastation in a strong wind storm. Believed to be one of the tallest buildings of its era and unique in the Cyclades, it originally was a defensive building and part of the extensive tower network of Keos. In addition to music (by the renowned composer, Evanthia Reboutsika) and dance, Jack L. Davis, director of ASCSA was present to help lead on Saturday morning a hike along one of the many well-preserved kaldermia (Ottoman-period roads) in the network of mule-paths that covers the island. The Agia Marina Tower is a unique stone building of 19.5 meters high, 5 storied, dating from 400 B.C. Believed to be one of the tallest buildings of its era and unique in the Cyclades!!! Originally was a defensive building part of the extensive tower network of Keos. It was later used as a monastery (thus the name Agia Marina) from the early Christian ages up until the 1780’s. A detailed account of the 2 day events has been posted (with pictures) on the KeaWest forum. Click here to view it  (in Greek). The trek on the ancient path which linked Ioulis to Poiiessa, also leading to Ag. Marina tower, opened with a summary lecture about Kea island from antiquity to modern times given by Jack Davis, Director of the American School of Classical Studies Athens. Over 70 participants made the morning trek towards Ag. Marina Tower.