In a landmark event for cultural preservation and tourism, the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, inaugurated the newly re-exhibited permanent collections of the Archaeological Museum of Aigio.
The museum, housed in the storied Old Agora building attributed to renowned architect Ernst Ziller, stands as a beacon of the Peloponnese’s rich historical tapestry, with exhibitions tracing back from the Neolithic era to contemporary times. The revitalized exhibits are the fruit of extensive rescue excavations conducted by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia during significant infrastructure projects like the Olympia Odos and the new railway line, as well as systematic digs in locations such as Trapeza and Nikoleika.
Highlighting the unique collaboration between cultural institutions and regional authorities, Minister Mendoni remarked, “The Ministry of Culture, through the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, presents to Aegio and its surrounding regions an invaluable archaeological museum. This venue not only underscores the continuous cultural wealth of Aegio and Aegialia but also positions them as pivotal references in the burgeoning field of cultural tourism.”
A key feature of the museum’s new exhibit is the extraordinary portrait of the last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, discovered at the Old Monastery of Taxiarches, just a short distance from Aigio. Minister Mendoni commended the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, Anastasia Koumousi, for her meticulous and responsible handling of this rare find. “Presenting such a significant discovery requires robust documentation and thorough research,” Mendoni emphasized. Koumousi’s dedication over two years ensured that the announcement was made with the utmost scholarly confidence, garnering respect from the global academic community.
The renovation and expansion of the museum’s exhibition were supported with a substantial investment of 803,000 euros through the Cross-Border Cooperation Program INTERREG Greece-Italy V-A 2014-2020 “TheRout_Net/Thematic routes and networks.” This initiative underscores the role of cultural routes in promoting thematic tourism, which is instrumental in driving local economic development and job creation.
The inauguration, attended by distinguished figures such as Jason Fotilas, Deputy Minister of Culture and MP for Achaia, and Nektarios Farmakis, Regional Governor of Western Greece, marked a significant step in the preservation and promotion of Greece’s cultural heritage. The ceremony underscored the successful collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and regional authorities, which Minister Mendoni hailed as crucial for navigating challenging times.
As Aigio’s museum emerges as a new cornerstone of cultural tourism, it promises to contribute not only to the preservation of history but also to the economic vitality of the region. With this renewed focus, the museum becomes an essential stop on one of the five Cultural Routes enhancing Greece’s cultural landscape, appealing to both local and international visitors.