The illumination of the Katholikon of the Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa, in Kastoria, in order to be consistent with its architectural identity and its function as a religious monument, is being carried out by the Ministry of Culture. The study for the restoration and enhancement of the Medrese was also completed, so that the proposed interventions on the existing shell will restore the monument to its original state in order to serve new uses. The ultimate objective is to renew the functionality of the monument so that it and the Justinian Wall can be made accessible to visitors and put to a new use.

The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, said: “It is our strategic objective to strengthen cultural tourism through the Cultural Routes project, which is being carried out by the Ministry of Culture, using the financial tool of the Recovery and Resilience Fund. Kastoria is a key stop on the “Cultural Egnatia Road” route, under which projects with a total budget of EUR 8,900,000 are being implemented. The illumination of the 11th century catholic of the Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa and the conservation of its frescoes, aiming at their protection and promotion, is one of the three targeted projects, with a total budget of €2,100,000, in Kastoria. The restoration projects of the Koursoum Mosque and the Byzantine church of Taxiarches, which are being implemented under this Cultural Route, complement those projects that have already been completed or have been matured by the Ministry of Culture. The study of the project for the restoration of the Medrese and the Justinian Wall was recently approved by the Central Archaeological Council. The monumental wealth of Kastoria and wider Western Macedonia is protected and highlighted with a clearly developmental sign for the local society and economy, contributing decisively to the qualitative upgrading of the tourist product in a region that is an emerging destination”.