The Struggle to Protect the Papoura Hill Minoan Monument Continues

• The Regional Council of Crete voted unanimously to prohibit all modern construction on Papoura Hill.
• They pushed for the Papoura Hill Minoan monument to be declared a site of major archaeological significance.
• Officials want an alternative spot chosen for the planned radar.
• The mayor of Minoa Pediada, Vassilis Kegeroglou, pressed the council for immediate action.
• Local authorities are determined to block any building that could threaten this ancient site.
• Legal measures are now in place alongside efforts to raise awareness of the issue across Europe and beyond.

Yesterday, inside the humid hall of Crete’s Regional Council, chairs creaked and papers shuffled, the air was wired with anticipation, as everyone’s eyes were on the already famous Papoura Hill Minoan monument:

• Residents, scientists, and local groups appealed directly to the council to move the planned radar tower.
• Even the mayor of Minoa Pediada stood among them, a tired but determined look on his face.
• Everyone demanded, quite simply, that Papoura Hill’s history be left undisturbed.
• The council wasted no time: absolute support for saving Papoura, no hedging, no hemming and hawing.

The Heart of the Dispute

What makes Papoura Hill more than just another green mound on the Cretan map? A monument straight out of a lost civilization sits hidden there—an oddly circular building, thick-walled and mysterious, straight from Minoan days before the grand palaces ever sprouted up. Archaeologists say it’s not just old; it’s uniquely complex and possibly a site for ancient worship.

• Excavations led by the Heraklion Ephorate revealed a labyrinthine, circular building.
• The structure dates back to the Prepalatial Minoan era, a time shrouded in both myth and rain.
• The hill offers open views to ancient settlements and the highland shrines where Cretan spirits might still dance at dusk.
• Each broken stone, experts claim, teaches more about early Minoan society than nearly any other recent find.
• Other archaeological treasures dot the hill, including the cave of Afenti Christou.

As the mayor of Minoa Pediada, Vassilis Kegeroglou, put it, “We know how to protect our cultural heritage. Those standing in our way include the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Civil Aviation Authority, responsible for the radar’s tender process. Until 2022, nothing happened. After that, a string of moves led to targeted decisions. In July 2024, the Municipal Council officially debated Papoura Hill, making it clear: this monument will neither be buried nor moved. It needs funding to complete excavation. That’s the only way to secure, highlight, and open it for visitors.”

Kegeroglou pointed out that the Central Archaeological Council’s decision was built on shaky ground. Studies only examined already seized hilltops, and reports were drafted by officials who had never visited the site, let alone brushed dirt from the pottery. “We’re talking about a monument built entirely from clay and stone, and yet, the study doesn’t allow even a basic shelter. Without one, time and weather will wear it away. Visitors in winter? Forget it.”

The circular building at Papoura is a unique monument, both for its labyrinthine architecture and its age, reflecting a society with high technical and cultural sophistication before the Minoan palaces were built. The Ministry of Culture’s duty, as outlined in the Constitution and Archaeological Law, is to protect, study, and make monuments accessible to the public and the scientific community. Nothing lost in translation there—the experts are adamant.

• The Crete chapter of the Hellenic Archaeological Association has called for the entire area of Papoura Hill to be declared a protected archaeological site.
• Specialists emphasize that preserving Papoura will unlock secrets of ancient Cretan communities.
• The discoveries represent the most important archaeological breakthrough in decades in central Crete.

The meeting on July 25 was no sleepy formality. Local faces crowded into the chamber, many fresh out of the heat and still breathing hard. Archaeological societies joined regular folks, their voices united. Political parties intervened, requesting that the issue receive priority attention.

• The Regional Council of Crete voted unanimously, siding with those demanding protection.
• A formal appeal is underway, contesting the Central Archaeological Council’s prior green light.
• Proposals request that Papoura Hill be granted significant landmark status and even considered as an emblem for the local community.

The Radar Controversy

It all reached a fever pitch after the Central Archaeological Council (KAS) decided to allow radar, antenna, and auxiliary structures to be installed only 32 meters from the archaeological zone. That sent shockwaves through the community, as many viewed the process as rushed and lacking transparency.

• Radar and building contracts had been filed before the archaeological hearing.
• Critics accused the government of making decisions behind closed doors, with too little scrutiny of alternatives.
• The radar is part of the Heraklion Airport project, featuring a 33-meter tower and additional buildings.
• News broke that construction materials from Papoura could be used elsewhere, sparking even more anger.
• Locals and scientists demanded that the state rethink this “unique technical solution” narrative.

The Local Movement

Groups like the Citizens’ Committee for the Protection of Papoura, backed by respected scientific organizations, ignited public campaigns. Strikes were called, making it easier for workers to join the demonstrations. Regional unity was evident in council votes and high attendance, but tension grew over whether authorities would truly protect the ancient site.

• Professional archaeologists and local associations coordinated to inform and gather support.
• Community-backed motions were included on both regional and municipal council agendas.
• Calls for the Ministry of Culture to revise its stance gained traction.
• The following steps may see Papoura Hill become the formal historic heart of Minoa Pediada.

Where the Dust Settles

The Papoura Hill Minoan monument now stands at a crossroads. Talk of radar isn’t over. However, the July council session revealed just how deeply locals, experts, and officials care about preserving what little remains of the Minoan mystery. For travelers, Papoura Hill offers more than a view or a photo—it’s an open page in an unfinished story, and locals are determined to keep the ending unwritten by modern machines.

• Official bodies are still pushing for legal protection at every level.
• The debate over radar placement is now in the national spotlight.
• Archaeologists warn: what is lost can never be replaced.

Yesterday (July 25, 2025), the Crete Regional Council unanimously backed efforts to safeguard this archaeological gem, responding to the pleas of residents, archaeologists, and local officials. Antiquity isn’t allergic to sunlight, but it does need protection. The mayor, already thinking ahead, announced plans to propose adding the Papoura Hill monument to the official symbol of the municipality at the council’s next session (coming up July 30).

For travelers and locals alike, this drama holds more significance than just administrative paperwork. It’s about keeping a piece of the Minoans’ world alive in a place where you can watch the clouds cast shadows on stones shaped three millennia ago. It’s about turning a threatened ruin into a proud landmark that welcomes curious feet—creaky, sandy, or sandal-clad.

Source: Λόφος Παπούρα: Ομόφωνη στήριξη από το Περιφερειακό Συμβούλιο Κρήτης για τη διαφύλαξη του σπουδαίου μνημείου