The Roman Stadium of Patras was handed over, now restored, to the city. This is an important project implemented by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia during 2020-2023, with a budget of €335,000.00.
"A new archaeological site in Patras is now, as of today, accessible to everyone, ready to join the development process of the city, of the wider region, as the basis of a large archaeological unit that will highlight other, currently hidden, parts of the Stadium, but also of the adjacent Roman conservatory, to form a single area of attraction for citizens, but also a pole of attraction for cultural tourism," said the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni.
"The Roman stadium is a monument, perhaps the largest of that period in the Greek area. It was built in the last quarter of the 1st century. A.D. in the heart of the Roman city, which, due to its geopolitical position, was founded as a Colonia Augusta, an imperial colony, as the emperor recognised its enormous strategic advantages," she added.
The stadium's construction is attributed to the offer of the emperor Domitian. It is related to celebrating the centenary of Patras as a Roman colony in 86 AD. Artistic and athletic competitions, the Caesarea, and gladiatorial competitors took place in the stadium.
The monument was occupied, as newer buildings had been built on top of it, which, since the 1970s, the Ministry of Culture has been gradually expropriating. Already, some of them belong to the ministry, and the relevant demolitions are imminent.
"For this purpose, said Lina Mendoni, to highlight the largest possible part of the specific monument and give it to the city, other expropriations are required and are underway."
The Minister of Culture also referred to the great project "of the restoration of the "Apollo" theatre, whose studies are in progress.
"The stadium, the conservatory, the "Apollo" theatre", noted the Minister, "are the important cultural infrastructures that, together with the effort to highlight the great intangible heritage of Patras, the carnival, will contribute to social cohesion, education and entertainment of the citizens, while at the same time, they act as drivers of development, creating new perspectives, giving the city their additional surplus value".
In addition to the implementation of the initial study of fixing and restoring the monumental remains of the Roman stadium, a series of interventions were carried out that were deemed necessary for the restoration and completion of the promotion of the stadium and its surrounding area, such as fixing and restoration works, geotechnical works and of stormwater management, improving and facilitating accessibility for all and especially for disabled people.
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