Historical island of Delos to become an Open Museum

Greece’s Ministry of Culture announced this week that it was planning to transform the historical island of Delos in the Cyclades into an open museum.

The Ministry said it was moving ahead with restoration and conservation works on the island that was in antiquity a sanctuary and in Greek myth the birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis.

Delos is near Mykonos, in the heart of the Aegean, and is considered to be one of the most significant archaeological sites in the country, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990.

The site was a major religious center and port during the 1st millennium B.C. The island’s ruins encompass Doric temples, markets, an amphitheater, houses with mosaics and the iconic Terrace of the Lions statues. The Archaeological Museum displays statues excavated from the site.

The Ministry said it plans to turn Delos into a model open museum where intact monuments will re-create the aesthetic quality and landscape of ancient times.

One of the most important projects underway is the restoration of the Stoa of Philip, with the ministry set on launching works on the House of Dionysos and on the ancient theater in 2020.

The ministry is aiming to create a unique museum experience by combining the actual landmark or site with its findings. Budgeted at 4.5 million euros, the Delos – Open Museum project will be funded through the NSRF Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020”, to enter into effect this summer.

*Source: GTP Headlines