Blog

The Laona Foundation for the Conservation and Regeneration of the Cypriot Countryside has launched its programme to restore traditional dry-stone walls (terraces) at strategic locations within fire-affected areas.

On Saturday, 11 October 2025, in collaboration with the Community Council of Souni–Zanatzia and with the help of 20 volunteers, the team successfully repaired 36 metres of dry-stone walling across two burnt sites.

The Foundation considers stone-wall restoration to be the first line of defence for local communities against the heavy autumn rains, as water will rush down the now bare and unprotected hillsides. The terrace restoration works in synergy with the gabion barriers being constructed by the Water Development Department, which is why the restoration sites chosen are located at positions which are higher than those where the gabions will be installed.

Under the guidance of master craftsman and trainer, Panayiotis Panayiotou, and his team, volunteers from the community were trained in the traditional technique of dry-stone construction, that is making stone walls without the use of binding material, thus allowing rainwater to pass through while reducing its erosive force.

The initiative was funded by the Andrey and Julia Dashin’s Foundation.