Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni is visiting Rodopi to mark the completion of the restoration of the central episcopal church in Maximianopolis.

Lina Mendoni conducted an on-site inspection of ongoing projects being carried out by the relevant Ephorate of Antiquities and co-chaired a meeting with the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia -Thrace, Christodoulos Topsidis, in a meeting of relevant officials to discuss the progress of projects being carried out by the Ministry of Culture in the region, as well as preparations for the next programming period, 2028–2034.

The Church of Maximianopolis

Maximianopolis, one of the most important urban centers of Byzantine Thrace, was founded by Emperor Maximian in the late 3rd to early 4th century AD, approximately seven kilometers west of Komotini. During the Byzantine period, it developed into an important administrative and ecclesiastical center of the region. The pericentric church, which most likely served as the city’s cathedral, dates to between the 11th and 13th centuries and belongs to the distinctive architectural type of pericentric churches with a hexagonal floor plan. It is the only monument excavated to date within the fortifications of the ancient city.

The project to restore and showcase the temple, as well as to conserve its mortar and stone elements, was carried out by the Rodopi Ephorate of Antiquities and the Directorate for the Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments of the Ministry of Culture. The work included stabilization, conservation, and restoration of the monument, as well as the development of the necessary infrastructure to improve visitor access to the archaeological site, thereby ensuring its protection and promotion.
The Blessing of the Waters ceremony was presided over by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini, in the presence of Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis and the Mayor of Iasmos, Imam Tzaner.

The Minister of Culture was accompanied by the Secretary General for Culture, Olympia Vikato; the Director of the NSRF Executive Structure at the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Yiannis Mylonas; Domna Terzopoulou, Deputy Director of the Rodopi Ephorate of Antiquities, and officials from the Ministry of Culture.

On-Site Inspection at the Imaret of Komotini

Lina Mendoni conducted an on-site inspection at the Imaret of Komotini, likely the oldest surviving Ottoman monument in Europe, dating from between 1364 and 1382. The monument has been restored by the Rodopi Ephorate of Antiquities with funding from the “Eastern Macedonia-Thrace” Regional Program—NSRF 2014–2020. During the site visit, the next steps for utilizing the historic complex as an exhibition space were discussed.

As Lina Mendoni noted, “Our goal is to have the museological and museographic studies for the two Imaret halls, as well as for the Ice House, approved by the end of the year. The first two spaces are intended to house the ecclesiastical collection, while an exhibition dedicated to the history and multiculturalism of Komotini is planned for the Ice Factory.”

At the same time, the Ministry of Culture is in consultation with ETAD to finalize the concession of the old “ “Asteria,” located in the immediate vicinity of the Imaret, so that studies for the restoration of this building can begin, alongside the museological and exhibition design studies.

The goal is for the “Asteria” building to open to the public and serve as a continuation of the city’s historical journey, while also functioning as a space that is both accessible to visitors and operational, open to the public.

Meeting in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

The Minister of Culture’s visit to the Regional Unit of Rodopi concluded with a meeting at the headquarters of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The meeting focused on cultural projects being implemented in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as well as an exchange of views on planning for the next programming period.

Participants in the meeting included the Secretary General for Culture, Olympia Vikatou; the Director of EDEPOL, Yiannis Mylonas; the Head of the Special Management Service for the “Eastern Macedonia–Thrace” Program, Panagiotis Koudoumakis; the Director of Antiquities, Domna Terzopoulou, as well as officials from the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Regional Authority.