Β3 - Memories made of stone

A craft tied to the traditions and special character of the land of Mani: memories and impressions of its traditions are carved by the tools of stone craftsmen, known as “petrofaoi”, whose contribution to the War of Independence was particularly important. They participated, along with craftsmen from Lagadi, in the building of towers at points of strategic importance and that is why their names and the names of their families are still recalled.

The tools for their craft, also known as “heirotechna”, were improvised and simple: wedges, crowbars, claw chisels, points, brick hods and trowels. The fathers inherited their experience and their tools to their sons, in
order to accompany them in their daily struggle with the stone. Simple buildings and towers are samples of their craft, as well as the elaborate reliefs and depictions that are carved on stone at the lintels of churches
and the bastions of war towers.

Picture: Courtesy of Yiannis Vourlitis, “Image Bible of Mani”, Adouloti Mani Publications.