Historic Greek buildings get new lease of life

prospective

We believe that this project brings citizens closer to the castle. The project creates new routes of archaeological interest and increases the number of local and foreign visitors. Furthermore, it acts as an important catalyst for the local economy, impacting positively on the surrounding environment and overall urban regeneration of Mytilene.Georgia Tampakopoulou, ArchaeologistThe EUR 2.3 million project, funded via the European Regional Development Fund, involves the restoration and preservation of monuments and buildings of significant historical importance located in the castle and its surroundings. As part of the castle’s restoration, signposting is being introduced and access facilities for people with disabilities have been added to improve the functionality and visibility of the monuments. These elements are central to the project’s public information campaign, which is being carried out to promote interest in the castle’s cultural heritage and archaeology.A castle that connects to the communityThe castle of Mytilene is one of the largest in the eastern Mediterranean. Its foundations were laid during the time of Justinian on the ruins of an even older fortification, which can still be seen in sections of the alls. It has been used and rebuilt by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and the Turks.The monuments identified as having suffered serious structural damage, which are being brought back to pristine condition, include:The Mosque seminary in the middle castle, where buildings of the Ottoman period are found; Crypts, measuring approximately 760 m2, that were used in the past as shelter; The southern wall in the upper castle; The Hamman (Turkish Bath) and its rooms located in the lower castle.It is estimated that the renovation project has created jobs for almost 40 persons including archaeologists, architects, designers and craftsmen. In terms of generating revenue, the castle is considered a success due to the cultural and artistic events held in it during the summer period.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Rehabilitation of monuments in the Castle of Mytilene, Lesvos” is EUR 2 300 000 with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 955 000 from the Operational Progamme “Crete and the Aegean Islands” for the 2007-2013 programming period.