2024-03-02 19:54:20
While the whole of Greece is anxiously awaiting the finale of the popular series “The Island” tonight, a story of shame for our culture is unfolding in another Spinalonga, in Chios. There, the leper hospital or Lovokomeio, which is also the country’s longest-running health institution, with a history of 7 centuries – it operated until 1959 – today presents a sad picture of abandonment, looting and vandalism!
It is a tragedy without an end, in a historical place, in which Saint Nektarios even served. Pharmacy material has been stolen and scattered, rooms have been broken into, while almost all objects – including the files and books of the Labyrinth – have been looted. Sculptures and building materials have been removed ahead of time, while it is only a matter of time before the same happens to the rest of the structures.
Faced with this tragic reality, ONNED Chios takes the initiative to highlight the issue. “We want the utilization of the Lovokomeio to be put back on the agenda, which is possible,” states the president of the Prefectural Committee Pericles Loukas to “democracy”, adding that there are all the elements to create a place of honor for those who suffered from Hansen’s disease but and for those who stood by them. And really, the smell, the medicines, the letters on the walls, the beds, the objects of the patients’ daily life remind you of 1959, when the leprosy chapter was finally closed.
The ONNED initiative of Chios does not stop at the communication level only. Thus, its vice-president, civil engineer Kostas Alertas, offers to draw up the restoration study of the complex. He points out that these are excellent buildings, which do not seem to face problems of stability. Afterwards, the ONNED of Chios undertakes the economic and technical study. At this point, Kostas Alertas proposes that a part of the complex become a shipping management center, so that it is an additional incentive for the financing of the overall project by Chios shipowners, who are particularly sensitive to local issues.
“When we present the complete plan, there will be no excuses for those in charge,” notes Pericles Loukas, emphasizing at the same time that ONNED cannot take the matter any further.
So while the immediate gathering, recording and safekeeping of the objects in a place inside or outside the Lobokomeio is required, the… tangled ownership regime is an inhibiting factor for the case in general. The Foundation belongs to the House of Love. The Superior Parish Delegation, which is appointed by the metropolitan, exercises the management. Previously, a program contract was signed between the Holy Diocese of Chios, the Ministry of Health and the Municipality of Chios, which expired without being activated. A new 20-year contract was recently signed with the Municipality of Chios.
It is worth noting that the Member of Parliament of Chios, Kostis Mousouroulis, has sent a file to the competent Service of Newer Monuments, in order to examine the classification of the Lovokomeio as a historical site and its equipment as a newer monument, so that it can be protected. However, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has not yet decided!
HISTORY
The leper hospital, Lovokomio, as it is called, is located northwest of the city of Chios, two and a half to three kilometers away from it, in a valley near the ring road. It was founded at the end of the 13th – beginning of the 14th century by the Genoese and operated until 1959. The size of the Orchard is 547 acres and the buildings are 822 square meters.
Because diseases generally scare people, in the past, instead of Lovokomio or Leprokomio, it was called Agia Ypakoi, Agios Lazaros, from the two churches that exist there, and even Kalo Chorio.
Agia Ypakoi, fallen and today in ruins, shows that there was a temple of relatively large dimensions, probably built in this location during the years of the Turkish occupation. It was burned down in 1822 and destroyed in the earthquake of 1881. The church of Agios Lazarus, which is probably Genoese, is still preserved today. In the massacre of 1822 by the Turks, the inmates, apart from a few who managed to escape, were massacred.
The earthquake of 1881 also destroyed Lovokomio.
In 1910 it was rebuilt, mainly with the financial support of Chiots from the diaspora. During its operation, it treated patients from Chios and other regions (north-eastern Aegean islands, Crete, coasts of Asia Minor). In the last phase of the Lovokomeio’s life, it is estimated that at least 250 patients in total found refuge there.
Dimitris Kyriakopoulos
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