Kea’s Enamel Factory in Korissia is unlike any other monument in the Cyclades: a 45-metre industrial chimney visible from the ferry, marking the site of a factory that operated from 1927 to 1957 and shaped the social and economic life of the island for three decades.

The Factory

The factory sits on the road between Korissia port and Ioulida, and its chimney is the first distinctive landmark visible as the ferry enters the bay. The Enamel Factory operated between 1927 and 1957, producing enamelware in a context unusual for a small Cycladic island — it represented a significant industrial enterprise, and its three decades of operation meant that it was woven into the memory and working lives of much of the island’s population.

Why It Matters

Most Cycladic island heritage is anchored in antiquity — temples, settlements, sculptures. The Enamel Factory is a different kind of monument: 20th-century industrial heritage that tells a story of modern Greece’s working life, the economics of island communities, and the particular trajectory of Kea between the wars. The chimney’s prominence — it dominates Korissia from nearly every angle in the bay — makes it impossible to miss and worth understanding before you arrive.

Visiting

The chimney and factory site are visible from the road and the port. For current information on site access or tours, check with the Kea municipality or local visitor contacts, as heritage access arrangements can change.

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