Crete Builds 10-Meter Lyra Gunning for Guinness Record
A 10-meter-high Cretan lyra, believed to be the largest ever built, has been unveiled in southern Crete and is now awaiting official recognition from Guinness World Records.
The giant three-stringed instrument was constructed over six months in Pitsidia, a small village near the coastal destination of Matala. It was erected beside the main road on Monday so that passing visitors could see it clearly.
"The project was about keeping Cretan musical heritage alive and visible" — Michalis Zouridakis
Creator Michalis Zouridakis told state broadcaster ERT that the project was about keeping Cretan musical heritage alive and visible. The team weighed several materials during the build, including wood and iron, before settling on polyester for its lighter weight and durability.
An application has already been submitted to Guinness World Records, and the team is waiting for an official representative to visit and verify whether the instrument qualifies for the title. If confirmed, it would be the world's largest Cretan lyre on record.
The Cretan lyra is one of the oldest and most recognizable instruments in Greek music, used for centuries in folk songs, weddings, and festivals across the island. The village of Pitsidia sits near Matala, a beach town on the southern coast of Crete known for drawing visitors from across Europe.
