Dimitsana designated a Traditional Settlement
On 19 Oct 1978, Dimitsana was designated a preserved settlement by Presidential Decree.
Why it matters
The designation turned architectural preservation from a disputed restriction into a central part of Dimitsana’s future identity.
The 1978 designation of Dimitsana as a Traditional Settlement specified the protection framework with building terms and morphological rules for façades, materials, heights and interventions in public space. It had a prehistory in the 1969 designation of Dimitsana as a settlement of historic and natural beauty.
Drinis emphasizes that protection was not self-evident. It was initially received with reservations because many residents saw it as a restriction on development. Over time, however, the “traditional” image became a cultural and tourism asset.