“Take a picture, not a pebble”. This is the instruction being given to tourists visiting the Greek island of Skiathos as part of a new campaign to protect the beach of Lalaria.
Launched by the island’s Culture Association with the cooperation of the Port Authority and encouragement of local residents, the round white pebbles found on the beach are somewhat of a local treasure.
Referred to as ‘Lalaria’, which comes from the ancient Greek word ‘las’ that means stone, the pebbles are found at a specific area on the beach that can only be accessed via sea. Tourists are transported there by boat, and it seems many have viewed the pebbles as a personal memento from the island to take with them back home. But local authorities are concerned about the destruction that is resulting.
To try and combat the removal of the pebbles, a sign has been installed in the vicinity, and on the boat transporting people to the site, telling passersby that taking pebbles is actually ‘strictly prohibited’.
Those who are found to be taking the Lalaria pebbles face strict fines ranging between €400 to €1,000.
