pygmalion karatzas' photographic series reveals the rural life found in a greek oasis

the mesolongi-aitoliko lagoon complex is located in the northern part of the gulf of patras in the central west coast of greece. with its shallow area of 150 km² extended between the acheloos and evinos rivers, it is one of the most important wetlands in the mediterranean. the ecosystem comprises of six lagoons that are part of the natura 2000 network, protected by the ramsar convention.

all images © pygmalion karatzas

the photographic series were taken by architect and photographer pygmalion karatzas during april 2017. in this project, he fuses the boundaries between topographic/representational and expressionistic/pictorial iconography in its exploration of the integral perspective.

it is one of the most important wetlands in the mediterranean

the open and closed type lagoons communicate with the sea along channels and receive fresh water from the drainage pump system of the region, creating a unique aquaculture environment. fishing is mainly done with traditional methods by local fishermen in fish-pools called ‘divaria’. the area is also rich in black salt marsh and hosts one of the biggest salt factories. the mineral mud and sea-salt make the agia triada and alikies beaches an ideal place for natural spas, which is a daily ritual for locals.

the mineral mud and sea-salt make the agia triada and alikies beaches an ideal place for natural spas

the name of the settlement ‘tourlida’ was given after the marine bird species that were found in the area, the tourlides, or eurasian curlew. this islet connects to mesolongi by a causeway stretching 5 km. a landmark of tourlida is the houses on piles. they are stilt houses built by fishermen, named ‘pelades‘ in greek.

a landmark of the tourlida settlement is the stilt houses

the name of the settlement ‘tourlida’ was given after the marine bird species that were found in the area

the ecosystem comprises of six lagoons that are part of the natura 2000 network

this islet connects to mesolongi by a causeway stretching 5 km

the tourlida fishing settlement built by local fishermen

fishing is mainly done with traditional methods by local fishermen in fish-pools called ‘divaria’

this complex, with its shallow area of 150 km^2, extends between the acheloos and evinos rivers

the mesolongi-aitoliko lagoon complex is located in the northern part of the gulf of patras in greece

pygmalion karatzas fuses the boundaries in its exploration of the integral perspective

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom