Together with my cousin Dimos Yargias (on the left), son of Konstantinos Yargias (†2010) and Argyro Yargias – Athanasaki. At that time, the Yargias family served as caretakers of the Michalos estate, belonging to one of Chios’ most distinguished benefactor families, founders of the Michalos Ceramics Works and the National “Michaleion” Girls’ Orphanage of Chios.
This photograph holds special sentimental value for me, as it is closely connected to my earliest memories of Kampos. It was within these historic estates, playing with my cousins and frequently visiting relatives from my mother’s side of the family, Katerina Athanasaki – Kotati, that my love for the mansions, gardens, and architectural heritage of Kampos was first born.
Many years later, this childhood connection evolved into a lifelong journey of research and writing, ultimately leading to the creation of “The Treasures of Kampos”, a project dedicated to documenting, preserving, and promoting the history of the people and estates that shaped the unique identity of Kampos, Chios.