On the Roman Conservatory, which was built in the middle of the 2nd century AD, i.e. the time of the city’s great prosperity, work has already begun, which has a total budget of 800,000 euros
Two emblematic monuments of Patras, the Roman Conservatory and the municipal theater “Apollon”, which are intertwined with the history of the city, are being preserved and restored, with the aim of re-opening and offering anew to culture.
The Roman Conservatory
On the Roman Conservatory, which was built in the middle of the 2nd century AD, i.e. at the time of the city’s great prosperity, work has already begun, which has a total budget of 800,000 euros.
The works are financed by the operational program of the Region, “Western Greece 2014-2020”, while they are implemented independently by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia.
As pointed out in the decision for the inclusion of the project in the financial program, “the current form of the Roman Conservatory is characterized by a significant loss of original material, the extensive removal of marble and additions to its masonry”.
As far as the works are concerned, the partial restoration of masonry, the reconstruction of the dome of the stage building and the stairs leading from it to the cave, the completion of the stairs in the vomitoria (access to the cave) are planned, so that they become functional.
At the same time, the restoration of the last three rows of the upper cave and the maintenance of the marble lining of the cave will be done.
In addition, the on-site restoration of the marble base mantle with new marble is foreseen, as well as restoration of the ground level around the outside of the monument, which, as estimated, will allow safe access for visitors from the surrounding area.
Also, an information sign and a visual map will be placed, while bilingual information forms will be created.
Upon completion of the project at the end of 2023, it will be handed over to the public, as stated in the deed of incorporation, a monument fully restored and safely accessible for cultural events.
In fact, according to the region of Western Greece, “upon completion of the project, the deterioration of the monument will be stopped, its original geometry will be restored, the oversights of its restoration in the 1960s will be corrected and it will be reintegrated into the cultural map of Patras, which will acquire an important archaeological site”.
It was built before 161 AD.
According to the “Odysseus” node of the Ministry of Culture, the Roman Conservatory of Patras was built a little earlier than the Conservatory of Herod Atticus, known as the Herodeion, i.e. before 161 AD, and is smaller in size than that .
The hollow has four stands of seats under the diazoma and seven above.
The outer high wall of the stage has five entrances to the stage and backstage. The proscenium is accessible by two brick staircases, one on the right and one on the left. The orchestra is paved and separated by a semi-circular breastplate from the nave.
Until 1889, when it was cleared, it was completely covered with dirt. The monument was repaired and remarbled after World War II.
In the meantime, with the completion of the reconstruction works of the upper town, where the Roman Conservatory is located, it is expected that the specific historical area of ​​Patras will be highlighted, contributing at the same time to local development.
The municipal theater “APOLLON”
Another emblematic building of Patras that will be preserved and restored is the municipal theater “Apollo”, built in 1872 according to the plans of the German architect, Ernesto Ziller. The municipal theater is located in the central square of Patras, Georgiou Square, and is a miniature version of Milan’s Scala, while it is one of the oldest surviving indoor theaters of recent times in Greece.
After the signing of the programming contract between the Ministry of Culture, the Region of Western Greece and the Municipality of Patreon for the restoration of the theater, the Ministry of Culture, which will carry out the project, proceeded a few days ago, according to the municipality, to select the contractor for the “Apollo theater restoration study, with its operational reuse”, budget 1,761,650.57 euros.
The total budget of the project is 12,791,176.71 euros and is financed by the operational program, “Western Greece 2014-2020”.
The purpose of the project is the restoration and re-operation of the approximately 2,133 sq.m. theater, primarily as an active theater stage of the city and secondarily as a concert venue or music stage. The interventions, according to the municipality, will be carried out with a view to respecting the special architectural character of the theater, which has been classified as a protected monument.
The restoration operations, which are expected to be completed at the end of 2023, include the maintenance of the theater, any reinforcement of the supporting structure and its modernization, with modern systems of fire safety, lighting, sound, electromechanical installations, stage, new seats, linings, etc. for the hosting of theatrical performances.
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