Greek Culture Ministry Invests Over €20 Million in Samos Heritage Projects

During a recent visit to Samos to commemorate the 201st anniversary of the Battle of Samos on August 5, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni inspected a series of cultural heritage projects spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture.

These initiatives, with a combined budget exceeding €20 million, aim to preserve and promote the island’s rich historical and archaeological legacy, including UNESCO World Heritage sites and significant Byzantine monuments.

Heraion Archaeological Site: A UNESCO Treasure

The Heraion of Samos, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992 alongside the ancient city remains at Pythagoreio, is a focal point of the Ministry’s efforts. In collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute, which has been excavating the site for over a century, the Ministry completed a masterplan in May to protect, conserve, and enhance the sacred precinct. This plan outlines specialized studies for monument restoration, highlighting the site’s historical significance and improving visitor accessibility. Given the site’s high visitor numbers, Mendoni directed the Samos Ephorate of Antiquities to begin studies to enhance visitor pathways and services immediately.

The Ministry has also finalised plans for fire protection at the Heraion, with a budget exceeding €1 million, to be implemented through the National Development Program by 2026. Additionally, a €200,000 project to protect the site’s coastal area is set to begin in 2025, funded by national resources and managed by the Service of Modern Monuments and Technical Works of the North Aegean.

Addressing Climate Change Impacts

Recognising the vulnerability of Samos’ archaeological sites to climate change, the Ministry has prioritized the Heraion in two major projects: the “National Strategy for Adapting Cultural Heritage Protection to Climate Change Impacts” and “Systems for Monitoring Climate Change Effects on Microenvironments.” These initiatives, with a combined budget of €4 million from the Recovery Fund, aim to safeguard Greece’s cultural heritage against environmental challenges.

Paleochristian Cemetery and Byzantine Monuments

Mendoni also reviewed progress at the Paleochristian Cemetery in Glyfada, Pythagoreio, a complex project spanning the 4th to mid-7th centuries. With a €1.53 million budget from the Recovery Fund, the Samos Ephorate of Antiquities is conducting excavations, conservation, and site enhancements, with completion expected by the end of 2025. Similarly, restoration work at the Ai-Giannaki church in Ano Vathy, budgeted at €1 million, is uncovering 18th-century frescoes and reinforcing the structure, with completion also slated for 2025. This church, built in 1799, is a significant post-Byzantine monument in the North Aegean.

Byzantine Church of the Transfiguration

Mendoni attended the inauguration of the restored Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Potami, Karlovasi, a major Byzantine monument from the 11th century. The €763,000 restoration, funded by the North Aegean Region’s Special Purpose Program (2017–2020), included the church, its adjacent Byzantine castle, and the nearby Agios Nikolaos chapel. The project involved structural reinforcement, aesthetic restoration, and environmental enhancements, making the site accessible to the public. The church, a cross-in-square four-columned structure, reflects architectural influences from Constantinople.

Aegean Shipbuilding and Maritime Museum

The Minister also visited the nearly completed Aegean Shipbuilding and Maritime Arts Museum in Heraion, a €8.5 million project funded by the 2014–2020 NSRF and led by the Municipality of Eastern Samos. The museum will house a certified educational structure for two-year vocational training in traditional shipbuilding, preserving this ancient craft. In collaboration with the University of the Aegean, the Ministry has completed a research program to document and promote this cultural heritage, ensuring its transmission to future generations.

A Commitment to Cultural Preservation

Accompanied by key Ministry officials, including General Director of Antiquities Olympia Vikatou and Samos Ephor Pavlos Triantafyllidis, Mendoni emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to protecting Samos’ cultural treasures. These projects not only preserve the island’s historical legacy but also enhance its appeal as a global cultural destination, reinforcing Greece’s dedication to its heritage amidst modern challenges.

(Source: Greek Ministry of Culture)