The Ministry of Culture has completed cultural projects worth more than €25 million in Imathia since 2019, as part of its long-term strategy outlined in the Cultural Charter for Development and Prosperity, which runs through 2030.
Among the landmark initiatives are the Polycentric Museum of Aigai, the restoration of the Palace of Philip II, the Virtual Museum “Alexander the Great: From Aigai to the World,” the outdoor exhibition at the Archaeological Museum of Veroia, the relic repository at the Monastery of Dovra, the conservation of the Byzantine Acropolis of Veroia, and the restoration of Christian and Ottoman monuments across the region.
On Wednesday, the Ministry handed over two fully restored churches in Veroia: the Holy Church of Saint Anne and the Church of Christ Pantocrator. The reopening ceremony was led by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veroia, Naoussa and Campania, and attended by Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, local officials, clergy, and residents. The works were funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund and executed by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Imathia.
Minister Mendoni stressed the importance of returning monuments to their communities:
“The return of a monument is always a day of joy for the Ministry of Culture. Even more so when these monuments resume their original liturgical function. Today, two more churches—Saint Anne, from the 18th and 19th centuries, and Christ Pantocrator, with phases from the 14th to the 18th century—are returned to the people of Veroia. These are the 13th and 14th churches restored in the city’s historic center.”
She added that since 2019, over €25 million has been invested in cultural projects in Imathia, strengthening both local identity and regional development. Mendoni dedicated the ceremony to the memory of the late MP Apostolos Vesyropoulos, praising his contribution to his homeland.
The Holy Church of Saint Anne, a wooden-roofed post-Byzantine basilica built between the 18th and 19th centuries, underwent structural reinforcement, roof reconstruction, masonry stabilization, conservation of wooden elements and paintings, and landscaping of its surroundings.
The Church of Christ Pantocrator, dating back to the 14th century, is renowned for its rare frescoes, including “Descent into Hades” and “Appearance of Christ at Lake Tiberias.” Restoration works included wall and floor repairs, iconostasis maintenance, and upgraded lighting.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Development Lazaros Tsavdaridis, MP Stella Arapatzis, Mayor of Veroia Kostas Vorgiazidis, senior Ministry officials, and representatives of local cultural institutions.
During her stay in Veroia, Minister Mendoni also visited the recently restored Sarafoglou Mansion, now home to the Lyceum of Greek Women’s local branch and its extensive folklore collection. The exhibition includes traditional costumes, jewelry, furniture, woven textiles, and old books, and serves as a hub for preserving and promoting the region’s cultural heritage.
(Source: Greek Ministry of Culture)
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