In the 19th century, new veins of silver and lead ores as well as zinc-rich deposits were discovered resulting into Kamariza becoming a most flourishing mining site, exploited by the French Mining Company. The galleries in the subsoil are as deep as 175 meters with a total length of 50 kilometers. Among the remains of the industrial complex that was active until 1973 is the Serpieri mining shaft No 1, which is easily recognizable by its iron hoist tower (lift). Visitors can also see the bridge used for loading the mining products, warehouses, the engine room or the porter's lodge at the entrance. The Greek Ministry of Culture has designated the entire industrial complex as a site of historic interest.
While in Kamariza, you can also pay a visit to the local Mineral and Mining Museum, which is housed in the building where the engine that powered the shaft's lift was located. The museum was established in 1975 by the Society of Friends of who donated mineral specimens, which are now on display together with tools, surviving machinery, photographs and maps.
To the north of the village, on top of MikroRipari hill, the so-called cave of Kitsos is located. As back as the Late Neolithic era, the cave served as a settlement of hunters - archaeological finds exhibited at the Lavrion Archaeological Museum testify to that. Because ofits strategic position, in the second half of the 19th century, the cave was the hideout of an infamous robber, Kitsos, after whom it was named. Although the cave, mainly for safety reasons, is not accessible, the view from the hilltop is truly amazing.
If you decide to take the trip to Kamariza, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Chaos, an impressive natural karst void (doline) which is located very close to the village. Surrounded by limestone walls, this gigantic crater, the product of cave that collapsed, measures 55 meters in depth and 120 meters in diameter. Take a walk around this geologically diverse landscape, where you will most definitely stumble upon remains of ancient mining activity. And if you are not particularly keen on archaeology, you can just enjoy an exhilarating hike in the pine forest, as Kamariza lies within the limits of the Sounion National Park.
