Chapel of Gaya

Chapel of Gaya is a large-scale sculptural head made of recycled steel and glass, set above the sea near the old village of Alonissos. Conceived as both a sanctuary and a statement, the structure — also called the “Mind of Gaya” — invites visitors to enter a quiet space for reflection on the intimate bond between humans and the ocean. The sculpture stands as a symbol of ecological awareness and interconnection. Surrounded by nature and facing the Aegean, the chapel draws attention to the delicate balance between human activity and marine life. From providing oxygen and food to regulating climate, the ocean is essential to life on Earth. This artwork offers a place to contemplate how our behaviors—pollution, overfishing, climate impact, disrupt this balance, and how we might shift toward regeneration and respect. Built from discarded materials, Chapel of Gaya reflects the potential for transformation—of waste into meaning, of awareness into action. It is not only a piece of art, but a space of collective memory and a call to responsibility.