In my village, Kefalovrisi, it is not difficult to guess which element stands out. The stone faucet dominates the central square, decorated with three beautiful spouts. In the old days, my fellow villagers shared that spot to “water” their animals after long walks through rocky alleys, the women washed their clothes under the fresh water, and the young girls filled their pitchers with the crystal clear water of the faucet.

The fountain is still there to welcome the running and playing of children, and it is one of the favourite spots; the ducks and geese that bathe in its waters, add sound effects to the scenery. 

Needless to say, this fountain was the meeting point of the village and perfect place to hold conversations on all matters, even just to gossip. It was the place to show off; filling pitchers wearing beautiful dresses, standing out in the crowd, maybe even courting with handsome young men, who would later enjoyed a cup of coffee under the thick shade of the plane tree (actually planted by my grandfather Adam Porikos) and some fresh water straight from the spout.

As for the other, smaller fountains, they too mark the most important areas of the village (Krystallos and Agia Paraskevi, for example) and forever satisfying the thirst of those passing by.