Timeline
Montofoli Estate has been a landmark for the region throughout time.
Its recent history is well documented and its earlier past has been established through archaeological findings.
Montofoli Estate, Chronology
Montofoli Hill
Montofoli Estate lies on the homonymous hill (deriving from the Venetian “Monte Foglio”: the mount with foliage), in Palaia Chora as the ancient Capital of Karystos is called, nearby Myloi and Grabia villages, a couple of kilometres inland from the shore of the great bay. It covers an area of 8 acres, which has been continuously productive for 2,500 years.
Timeless place
Montofoli Estate with its rich land and panoramic view of the sea has always been an emblematic site of utmost interest throughout the long history of Karystos. Ruins of settlements since the Classical, as well as Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman periods are found in the estate.
Archaeological findings
The recent history of the Estate is well documented, and its earlier history has been established through archaeological findings. Some of them are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Karystos at the Yokallion Institute.
Ömer Bey-Pasha of Evia
“The Pasha’s Gardens”
The oldest known owner of the estate was Ömer Bey of Karystos, who succeeded his father Mustafa Agha in 1803 as the Ottoman commander in the fortress on the hill over the estate (Castello Rosso) and became the Pasha of Evia in 1823. The Estate was then a citrus grove and known as the gardens of Palaia Chora or “The Pasha’s Gardens”.
Tsiflikia
Following the end of Turkish occupation by 1833, the Ottomans, who owned legal titles of ownership, had the opportunity to sell their properties. At that time exceptionally large estates (Tsiflikia) in northern Evia changed hands; among them the properties of Noel Baker in Kandyli, Averof in Mantoudi, and Papadopoulos in Rovies.
Ioannis Paparrigopoulos
Montofoli Estate was purchased (1835) by Ioannis Paparrigopoulos, Vice-Consul of Russia and later Chamberlain at the court of King George I (1863) and advisor to the Greek State.
Ioannis Konstantinidis
“Ktima Konstantinidis”
In 1877, his son Michalis Paparrigopoulos, sold the property to Ioannis Konstantinidis, a wealthy merchant from Alexandria, Egypt, with Karystian descent. The cosmopolitan new owner knew that a more productive exploitation is based on size. He invested large sums for the purchase of more orchards, particularly citrus trees. At the time, lemons had a significant value, as they were an exportable product, bringing foreign capital to the city. Konstantinidis gave the Estate its present shape: the productive terraces are oversized compared to those in the Cyclades. The unique quality and size of the terraces’ supporting walls are of excellent craftsmanship and are developed to a length of 950 meters and a height of up to 6 meters.
Konstantinidis preserved the estate in perfect condition and since then the estate was mentioned in numerous tourists guides as “Ktima Konstantinidis”.
King Otto I of Greece
The Estate has been a reference point for the region. King Otto I of Greece was received here in 1841, at which time he presented to the Municipal Authorities the new City Urban Plan, designed by the Bavarian civil engineer Mirbach.
World War II
During the German occupation, the estate was occupied by the German command and served as an observation post.
King Paul I of Greece
In October 1953, during the inauguration of the city’s new water system, King Paul I of Greece was hosted on the estate.
Konstantinidis’ heirs
In the 50’s, the property was abandoned, and the sensational buildings and terraces became “beautiful ruins”.
Pavlos G. Karakostas
“Ktima Montofoli”
In 1986 the estate was bought by the family of Pavlos G. Karakostas, O.B.E., from Mrs. Margiori Konstantinidis, and MYRTOA S.A. was formed in order to restore the buildings and terraces and make use of its agricultural potential. He gave the estate the name “Montofoli”, after the hill on which it lies. The goal of the new owners was to awaken the “Sleeping Beauty’’: restore the historic buildings and cultivate the land.
The Vineyard
The 4-acre vineyard was planted in 1986 with 5.200 vines in linear shape, with the following varieties: Assyrtiko and Aidani from Santorini, Athiri from Rhodes, and Liatiko from Crete. The aim was to produce a unique sundried-dessert wine with the same method used 2,500 ago. Today the vineyard produces the excellent dessert Wine, “Ktima Montofoli”, awareded by Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 (Gold Medal, 95 points). In addition, the terraces with citrus trees produce thin skinned fruit that go into the exceptional citrus-fruit Marianna’s Marmalade.
Restoration Process
At present, six buildings have been restored with great skill and respect for its unique historic importance. The houses were built in different periods, are all different in style and of the highest aesthetic standards.
- Villa Marianne, the manor house with the three arched windows was built during the Venetian period. Its left part was added later, during the Ottoman era.
- The Dovecot is a unique, stone-built villa. On the ruins of an ancient Roman bath, a dovecot was built in the early 19th century, later a baker and auxiliary buildings were added.
- The Red House is a neoclassical building representative of the late 19th century.
- Belvedere is a charming vacation house with a contemporary outlook and respect to the local architecture.
- Amfithea is the newest restored villa on the Estate. It was built on the ruins of a warehouse; It has been reconstructed into a modern house which has an undisturbed view over Karystos.
- The Wine Cellar is part of the once Frankish Church of St. Marcus. -note the remains of frescoes and paintings on its wall. It is said that the delivery contract of Karystos from the Catalans to the Venetians, in 1365 was signed in this very church. During the Ottoman occupation the temple was destroyed, and its’ northern wall became part of a stable.
A metallurgical installation (ore washing structure) of the 4th century BC on the floor of the Church, was uncovered by the excavations at the site during the restoration process of the building.
Today it serves as a wine cellar that houses the sweet wine “Ktima Montofoli” aging in barrels, as well as a tasting room. - Weddings, music festivals and theatrical productions have taken place in the Cellar courtyard. Guided tours of the site & vineyard plus wine tastings also organized.
