SPILIA

STAIRCASE TO ODYSSEAS ANDROUTSOS CAVE, TITHOREA, FTHIOTIDA

On the steep slope of the Velitsa gorge lies the "Cave of Androutsos". Initially a refuge for the villagers, the cave also served as the residence for Odysseas Androutsos, hero of the Greek Revolution in 1821, from whom it takes its name. Accessible through a 2.5-hour hiking trail, the cave nowadays has become a tourist attraction that offers a blend of cultural interest, physical exercise, and enjoyment of nature.

However, the cave is not directly accessible at the end of the hike. Currently, the path leads to the base of a vertical rock, where makeshift ladders provide a means to ascend 25 meters higher to the "courtyard" of the cave. From there, visitors must climb about 10 meters more on an inclined, slippery surface to reach the cave’s entrance. These conditions are considered inherently dangerous.

The objective of this study is to create a safe access for visitors while respecting the environment where the construction is planned. Therefore, the key principles guiding the architectural design are its gentleness, its reversible character and its smooth integration into the natural landscape.

The proposal is structured into two main segments concerning its morphology and construction materials.

The first segment focuses on the smoothness and the theatricality of moving from the base of the cliff up to the cave’s entrance. A serpentine steel staircase is proposed, transporting the visitor from the "foot" to the "courtyard" of the cave. After completing the initial ascent of 25 meters, the visitor reaches a resting point, a platform on the "courtyard" that provides a level of relaxation and landscape contemplation. From this point, a second ground-level staircase reaches the entrance of the cave.

The second segment of the architectural study focuses on minimizing human intervention in the landscape and ensuring the reversibility of the construction. The entire steel staircase, consisting of 135 steps along with its supporting steel frame, are colored in earthy tones that derive from the color of the local rock. Simultaneously, the necessary staircase-rock-ground connections are minimized to the least necessary. All construction elements are designed to be transported without mechanical means and assembled solely with hand tools.