The smooth development of the cultural projects, budgeted at 5,000,000 euros, which have been carried out over the last four years in Nafpaktos, as well as the restoration projects, with a total budget of 5,000,000 euros, in Lefkada, in emblematic ecclesiastical monuments, which are emerging as cultural destinations with development potential, confirmed the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, during her visit. The project for the construction of the New Archaeological Museum of Lefkada is also entering the implementation phase with the start of the preparation of all the required studies, with a budget of 2,000,000 euros.

“Nafpaktos” as stated by the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, “is a special place, historically charged. Its Venetian fortifications are a great monument, not only for their fortification architecture. It is one of the most important castles in the Greek territory and for its historical significance. In these four years, we have initiated, implemented, and are implementing important projects in the urban fabric of the city. For the first time, in Nafpaktos, 5.000.000 euro projects are being implemented, critical for the city, which proves that culture, apart from being a public social good, is also a driver of development. The projects being carried out are directly linked to the economic development of the region. Nafpaktos is an emerging tourist destination, which has all the prerequisites to develop in terms of sustainable development. In our program, the main objective is to enhance, in any way possible, the cultural development of the cities and the well-being of their inhabitants”.

Αυτοψία Λ. Μενδώνη στο ενετικό λιμάνι Ναυπάκτου

During her visit to Nafpaktos, the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, carried out an autopsy in parts of the castle of Nafpaktos and the Venetian harbor, specifically in the sea walls, where the project of fixing and restoration of the Venetian harbor is underway, by the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, with funding from the Recovery Fund. He also carried out an autopsy on the project of fixing and restoration of the sea walls with the restoration of the ramparts, as well as on the restored section from Oraia Dapia to the tower of Rologiou, carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Aitoloakarnania and Lefkada. The restoration of all the ramparts has been completed, excavation work has been carried out on the bastions of the bastions of Oraia Dapia and the Tower of Rologiou and their restoration work has been completed. In terms of museum infrastructure, the studies for the organization of the permanent archaeological collection of Nafpaktos entitled “Nafpaktos in the Byzantine Period” in Itz Kale have been completed.

During her autopsy in Nafpaktos, Lina Mendoni was accompanied by the Mayor of Nafpaktos, Vassilis Gizas, the Head of the Directorate of Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, Themistoklis Vlachoulis, the Curator of Antiquities of Aitoloakarnania and Lefkada, Olympia Vikatou, as well as officials. As part of her visit, Lina Mendoni met with the Bishop of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios, Mr. Ierotheos.

Αυτοψία στον Ιερό Ναό Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα

In Lefkada, during the autopsy at the Castle of Agia Mavra, Lina Mendoni expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the restoration works and the upgrading of the infrastructure of the archaeological site, with the construction of walking routes for visitors, service and information areas for the public and the operation of a fire protection system. Within the framework of the autopsy at the Castle, instructions were given to the competent Ephorate of Antiquities and the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments for the preparation of a holistic management plan, with the aim of, through the systematic study of the site, to highlight how the Castle of Agia Maura can be included in the archaeological sites of the country that have the privilege of hosting actions and events of contemporary creation, promoting not only cultural heritage but also modern Greece.

Lina Mendoni conducted an autopsy on the restoration project of the Holy Church of St. Spyridon, whose work is underway. The Holy Church of Agios Spyridon declared a historical monument, is located in the central square and is one of the most remarkable and oldest religious monuments of Lefkada. It was first built in 1685, but having collapsed due to earthquakes, it was rebuilt to its present dimensions in 1836. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2024. Similarly, restoration works are being carried out in the Holy Church of St. Minas. The project is almost complete and only the vestments of the Church remain to be returned to worship. Restoration works are also being carried out in the Holy Church of St. George.

As the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni said “With our presence in Lefkada, we confirmed the smooth progress of all the projects, with a total budget of more than 5,000,000 euros, which have been carried out on the island for the last four years by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Aitoloakarnania and Lefkada and the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments of the Ministry of Culture and Sports. I would like to personally thank the Curator Olympia Vikatou and all the staff of the service, as well as the head of the Directorate of Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, Themistocles Vlachoulis, and her staff, because the projects are progressing, in a very satisfactory way, and are being completed. Those that will not be completed by the end of 2023 will be completed in 2024. As for the start of the restoration of a church monument, such as the Church of St. Spyridon, after decades of silence, it fills us with even greater joy, because by restoring it, we are giving an important cultural project to the local community and a place of worship to the faithful. We hope that by the end of 2024, beginning of 2025, the monument will be fully restored and returned to society and the Metropolis of Lefkada”.

Αυτοψία στο Κάστρο Αγίας Μαύρας

The Minister of Culture also conducted an autopsy at the Holy Monastery of Panagia Odigitria in Apolpina, the most important Byzantine monument of the island, where restoration work is underway in the Monastery’s Catholicos. The work will continue next year to restore the frescoes and to give the monument as a whole the form it should have.

The Minister of Culture and Sports also visited the plot of land granted by the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Culture and Sports for the construction of the New Archaeological Museum of Lefkada, thanking the MP of Lefkada, Athanasios Kavadas, for his contribution to the granting of the property. For the construction of the new Archaeological Museum, the amount of 2,000,000 euros has already been approved for the preparation of all the required studies, with funding from the national resources of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

In Lefkada, the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, was accompanied by the Bishop of Lefkada and Ithaca, Theophilos, the Mayor of Lefkada, Charalambos Kalos, and the Vice-Regional Governor of Lefkada, Andreas Ktenas.