The Greek Geopark Grevena-Kozani is a protected natural area in the heart of the Greek province of Western Macedonia, located 150 km west of Thessaloniki and 400 km north of Athens.
In a distant past, this region connected the tectonic plates of Europe and Africa across the Tethys Ocean. Today, the Geopark is home to an astonishing geodiversity and a landscape of exceptional beauty and geological significance. Internationally, it is recognized in the scientific community as one of the key sites in the development of plate tectonics.
Interview
This interview was conducted with Dina Ghikas, Geologist / Director of Educational Programs at the Grevena-Kozani Geopark.
How would you describe your Geopark?
Geopark Grevena-Kozani is a Geopark of time, encompassing almost a billion years of Earth’s history. The formations found here bear witness to the opening and closure of the Tethys Ocean, the rise of the Pindos Mountains, the Ice Ages, and early human life. It is a geological patchwork of extraordinary diversity in rock types.
What is its most distinctive feature?
De geologische basis voor The geological foundation of this Geopark lies in the collision between the Pelagonian (European) and Apulian (African) continents, with a fragment of Tethyan oceanic crust and mantle in between. This juxtaposition, resulting from tectonic movements, laid the groundwork for the area’s unique environment and human history.
How did the Geopark come into being?
Geologists have been visiting this region since the early 20th century, and their observations were crucial to the development of plate tectonic theory. While geologists and paleontologists around the world knew of us, the area remained largely unknown beyond scientific circles. It was somewhat forgotten by the world, and its natural treasures appreciated only by local adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and a few passionate geologists. By the second decade of this century, we managed to form a team of scientists and partners working in tourism, culture, and education. In 2014, we proposed the creation of a Geopark to the community. Initially, we aimed for a small area, but representatives from several municipalities insisted that a Geopark could not exist without them. People here have always understood the importance of their regional geology as it has shaped their history and economy. They knew they were worthy of being called a Geopark and wanted to be part of it. That’s how Geopark Grevena-Kozani was born.
Herinnert u zich dDo you remember your first setback during the creation of the Geopark? What happened, and how did you overcome it?
Of course. Our first application to UNESCO was rejected. They were not convinced that our initial management structure could sustain itself in the long term. We had to go back to the drawing board, find a new host organization to oversee the Geopark, and convince them to radically restructure their staff to include a dedicated management department. After that, we reapplied to UNESCO (with several revisions) before we were finally approved. I believe it’s essential to have a strong team and a clear vision of where you want to go, because you need others to look at what you’re doing and say, “I want to get on that boat, they’re going somewhere.”
Which tourism organizations or partners do you collaborate with?
We work on many levels. Geoparks are recognized by the national government, so the Ministries of Tourism and Environment support our activities and help develop our programs and infrastructure. We also collaborate with local trekking organizations for excursions and events, and are often approached by travel agencies and tour operators looking to expand their offerings. Finally, we represent the Geopark at national tourism fairs whenever possible.
Do you use specific methods to attract visitors?
We are practically starting from zero, as there was almost no tourism here and numbers are still low compared to the rest of Greece. We are the only landlocked province in the country, so we have to make peace with the “sun and sea” model of tourism. We focus more on off-season and alternative tourism — our national ski centre on Mount Vasilitsa is a major attraction, and we host many cultural events throughout the year. As a Geopark, one of our fastest-growing markets is food tourism, since we have strong local producers whose products are deeply connected to geology. People love that they can visit a cheese maker, learn about the goats that graze in the surrounding landscape, and see how the milk becomes cheese. That appeal speaks for itself.
When did you receive the UNESCO Global Geopark label?
We were accepted into the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in 2021.
What are the benefits of the UNESCO label?
I’d say it reassures people that what you offer is of high quality, guided by shared principles that unite everyone involved in the Geopark. It also signals that this is more than just a beautiful landscape or some impressive rocks. UNESCO Global Geoparks value the connection between Earth, environment, and people, striving to create something positive for the community.
Has this label brought any positive or negative changes?
Not yet, from my point of view, as these things take time. Being part of the international Geopark networks has been very positive, but the label itself still needs time to settle in before it can truly show its impact. We’re taking the long-term approach: transforming an overlooked region into one with a strong reputation doesn’t happen overnight.
This year a UNESCO evaluation team will visit us. Do you have any advice for that visit?
Actually, our first revalidation is next year. So you might be the ones giving us tips! I do believe that community presence and involvement during onsite inspections are key to showing your relevance. During both of our evaluations, local people came out on their own to show support, and that was powerful evidence of the efforts we’ve made over the years.
More information: www.geoparkgrevenakozani.com
This interview was conducted by Leonie Kuys as part of her internship at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Ghent.
