The restoration, preservation, and use of medieval monuments in modern times

Repair of the castle at Politika

The restoration of a monument is one of the most important ways of managing the cultural heritage of an area. It includes many different types of repair work, such as re-enforcement, completion and preservation, which is carried out in cooperation with a wide range of specialists, for the best possible result. This kind of work is usually carried out on monuments for which we know the original form and use.

The restoration of a monument includes, apart from preservation, work to make it more durable and better known to the public. The Castle of Politika, an important monument from the time of the Frankish occupation of Euboea, was restored with funds from the NSRF (2007-2013) and is now a monument that is open to visitors. Informative material contributes to the understanding of the monument, but also the wider historical context to which it belonged.

The restoration and parallel display of the phases of the 'Bailo's Residence'

The restoration and better recognition and understanding of the use of monument requires the parallel display, where possible, of its main building/historical phases. The 'Bailo's Residence' within the modern historical centre of Chalkis, is a point of reference for the city and the only surviving lay building from the Ottoman period (18th century), with neo-classical elements (19th century), and which has incorporated parts of an older building from the time of the  Venetian occupation (13th-14th century).

Giving a new use to an old monument. The Ottoman Emir-Zade mosque

The modern use of a monument, and even giving it a new use, has a direct effect on its effectiveness in society, without this negating the value of its former use. The Ottoman Emir-Zade Mosque is the only surviving mosque within the city of Chalkis from the time of the Ottoman occupation. Work has been carried out on the building, without damaging its original form, and today, it has been transformed into an exhibition centre, which houses a collection of engravings about Chalkis and Euboea.

The preservation of the murals in the church of Agios Georgios in Akraifnio

The preservation of a monument or a part of it, such as the painted decoration of a church, is necessary for the preservation and protection of the monument itself. Extensive preservation work was carried out on the layers of murals which survive in the church of Agios Georgios in Akraifnio, Boeotia, which has contributed to the better display, documentation and dating of the monument.

The in situ preservation of antiquities. The example of Antikyra in Boeotia

The remains of buildings or other structures and constructions that have been discovered in excavations and are kept in situ, inside the urban fabric of a city or a village and exposed to the elements need protection, preservation and transformation into an exhibit. A typical example is the town of Antikyra in Boeotia, where antiquities are preserved in excavated plots within the town, which were the subject of compulsory purchase orders by the State, for their better display and preservation.

The systematic excavation of the archaeological site of Eretria

Archaeological sites (organised or not), on which there is systematic excavation, need protection and preservation. As part of this, there is systematic monitoring, preservation, study, and publicising of the new finds, as well as the arrangement of the environment around them. These are sites that give the opportunity for complete protection, display and management.

The archaeological site of Eretria is one of the most important archaeological sites in Euboea, and work is underway for its restoration and display, providing new evidence of the use of the space. It is an organised site with a large number of visitors.

Preservation of the 'Palaestra' site

An archaeological site in Chalkis, which was preserved and further displayed as part of the NSRF, is 'Palaestra', where Roman baths have been found along with a section of the town's gymnasium. The placement of teaching aids, and its conversion into a site that can be visited, whilst remaining an exhibit, re-enforce its interpretation and display and incorporate it into the social fabric.

Carrying out rescue archaeology

In rescue archaeology—excavations that are carried out because of building or construction work—building remains are dug up, most of which are in fragments. In order to interpret and date these remains, it is necessary to study the finds, to document them, but also to see how they relate to the remains of other buildings in the surrounding area. Based on the above, the decision is taken as to whether the site should be preserved as an exhibit or filled in. A great number of these kinds of excavations are carried out inside and outside cities. One of them was carried out in Kotsou Ave, which was preserved by being buried after the finds were studied and evaluated. An excavation was carried out on the site of the new Chalkis hospital, and a section of the ancient city wall was discovered, which will be preserved and maintained for display.