Caretta Caretta

The Kalamaki Wall Painting was created in April 2025 through the collaboration of artist Linda Crast with the local community, the Archelon association and with the active participation of numerous children. The new and colourful mural creates a remarkable connection between art and public space.
Above all, however, it is about turtles.

Caretta Caretta

On the south coast of Crete, especially on the beaches of Kalamaki, Pitsidia and Matala (in the bay of Messara), the very popular but also very endangered sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) lay their eggs every year. These beaches offer the turtles ideal conditions for reproduction due to their natural characteristics. Visitors are asked to show consideration, for example by avoiding artificial light and keeping their distance from marked nests.

Kalamaki

The Kalamaki Wall Painting is a continuation of Linda Crast’s paintings on Komos beach from 2017, showing the large Careta Careta laying hundreds of eggs in the sand at night. Local children were invited to help colour the areas. The result was a great event and fun for all involved – and an enrichment of Kalamaki’s cultural identity.

Linda Crast

Linda Crast was born in Denmark and lives and works in Sivas, where you can also visit her studio. Linda’s paintings are frequently on display in exhibitions. She is also the initiator of Matala Street Painting.