Katrani process

Traditional Technology of Pine Tar in Epirus (Greece) A Craft Between Heritage and Modernity

This study examines the traditional technology of pine tar kilns in Greece, focusing on the case of Distrato in Epirus, where the last traditional artisans reside. Pine tar (katrami) is a viscous liquid produced by the destructive distillation of resinous wood, primarily from pine trees. This practice has a long history globally and in the Mediterranean, with applications in medicine, cosmetics, fuels, and waterproofing for construction and shipbuilding.

Authors: Christos Theocharis, Ioanna Doutsis, Panos Kostoulas, Grigoris Koutropoulos

The file is available in French.

Date: 10 October 2025

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The guide compiles simple and reliable methods for sampling and testing basic water quality parameters (temperature, flow, pH, total hardness, ions) in springs and fountains. It aims to provide local communities with the necessary knowledge and practical tools to actively contribute to the monitoring and protection of this valuable natural resource.

The Citizen Science guidebook was printed with the financial support of the Municipality of Konitsa and was designed and presented within the framework of the action for the development of Citizen Science for monitoring water quality, under the project: Connectivity Conservation Initiative for Fresh Drinking Water, funded by Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust – PONT.

The file is available in Greek.

Based on the experience and knowledge gained from the research and the participatory restoration project in the underground settlement of Agrilia, an openly available handbook was created, for the dry stone structures of Therasia and Santorini and the use of building materials made of lime and the local volcanic tephral,  theran earth.

The handbook was developed in the framework of the project “Under the Landscape: Participatory interventions for the protection and promotion of the man-made and natural environment of Therasma”, as part of the programme “Innovative actions with citizens”, founded by the Green Fund.

The file is available in Greek.

The following decrees were issued as a result of open dialogue, scientific exchange, and collective processing, as part of actions carried out by the Itinerant Workshop on Traditional Building Techniques “Boulouki” in collaboration with local authorities, scientific organizations, and collectives in the context of the Reappearances Project.

They address the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of cultural landscapes, with an emphasis on the use of local materials, dry stone construction, and the connection of material heritage with the contemporary needs of local communities. The texts reflect commonly accepted positions, proposals, and policy guidelines, highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge, participatory restoration, and the judicious use of natural resources.

 

 

The file is available in Greek.

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