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Who we are

Nisyros is a blessed place! And it is truly incredible how so many treasures, so many changes, and emotions coexist in such a small place. The lunar and otherworldly landscape of the volcano is succeeded by the green slopes that hug the island and pour out to the endless blue of the sea. Olive, lemon, agramithia, fig, almond, and oak trees adorn Nisyros from one end to the other. Drystone walls and spiladia (extensions of farm buildings dug sideways or downwards into the surrounding pumice) make up a scenery that testifies the efforts of natives to tame and cultivate these volcanic soils. And their efforts were not wasted as agriculture and animal husbandry were for ages the two main pillars of Nisyros’ economy.

The olive trees that were abundant in the land of Nisiros had a prominent place in agricultural life. The silver-leafed olive tree generously gave its fruits that appeared on the daily table and the precious olive oil to everyone! In Nisyros, several olive mills operated from time to time in Mandraki, Nikia, and Emporio.

Our own olive mill, Liotridi of Kari, built in 1910, is located in Mandraki in the traditional settlement of Lagadi. After many years reopens its doors with free admission and awaits locals and visitors. The name "Karis" is short for the last name of Nikolaos K. Karakonstantinos, husband of Asimeni Christoforou, was the one who ran the olive mill for the longest period of its history, so his name was inextricably linked with it. For years, many people have said "Let's go grind at the "Liotridi of Kari."

Today this olive mill has been completely renovated with a lot of love, passion, and absolute respect. The effort of our family and especially my mother’s, Anna Karakonstantinou-Billi, the current owner, is to "bring this place back to life" in a way so that it could "tell" its story to future generations, a story completely connected to that of the island itself.

Asimeni Mpilli

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Κείμενα - Φωτογραφίες | Ασημένη Τρ. Μπίλλη