ings to their natural surroundings.
The materials used in reconstruction were locally
sourced from Milia. Low-scale intervention and construction techniques were applied that blended naturally into the existing village style. The builders and designers who worked on the site were exclusively from
the surrounding villages and the ecological footprint
left behind by the workers was minimal.
As a result, in 1993, with great enthusiasm, Milia –
the Inn and its small restaurant, which uses only local
produce, opened its doors. It was a pioneering endeavor
even to the locals. Slowly but surely though, their attempts paid off with much success.
Applying this new philosophy, many similar sites
have been created around Crete and the rest of Greece.
Although they differ, one from the other, they have
a shared vision with Milia: “The preservation of the
circle of life in such a way that serves both humanity and the environment, having always at its core the
Cretan tradition and cultural legacy. Realizing that
any intervention in the environment would have its
consequences, we are careful where we tread. Keeping
tradition alive but at the same time never turning a
blind eye to the present and future, we try to cultivate civilization in its simplest form. We deem it our
responsibility in this day and age that our elders be
allowed to remember and our youth be made to learn
of how our ancestors lived and survived.” K
Care was taken to renovate the original settlement and inn back
to its original structure.
Want to profile your village? Email us at: [email protected]
26
KPHTH | May 2014