Kamariza Mining Center

Kamariza (from the arches of the mining arcades) is located in the northwest of Lavrion, at a distance of 5 km and today it is called Saint Constantine. It was the center of mining projects, not only in ancient times but also in modern times, when it was the peak of the country’s industrialization. In ancient times, it was known as Maroneia. The war fleet of triremes defeated the Persians in the naval battle of Salamis in 480 B.C. Kamariza was built by the Athenians thanks to the silver found in the area. This small, but prosperous, place was the base of defense and culture of the Athenian Republic.

The underground arcades of Kamariza are 50 km long. The discovery of calamine [zinc carbonate] in the area in 1870 by Andreas Kordela greatly helped the company’s growth. It is one of the first industrial settlements. Today, most of the buildings are preserved, characteristic examples of the industrial architecture of the 19th century. It is located on the site of the corresponding complex of the classical period (5th century B.C.). Since 1987, it has been classified as a historical monument, as well as the surrounding area. It was built by the French Company for the Exploitation of the Mines of Lavrio in the 19th century. From the complex, the mining shaft, the pulley house and the two elevators are preserved. The facility also has an engine room, a machine shop, bridges where the ore was transported to the hoppers and to the wagons of the train to Lavrio.

It is planned for the entire complex to be restored in the future and to turn the buildings into a thematic museum. The local community of Saint Constantine (now the Municipality of Lavreotiki) honoring the mining erected the statue of the miner in the center of Kamariza, as a monument to the human mining work, which needs respect even today.

Source: Updated list of Geotopes, IGME, Athens 2016