Within the timetables, the implementation of the installation of a slope lift, in the outdoor area, of the cave of Dikteos Andros on the Lasithi Plateau is progressing
Two Memorandums of Cooperationthe first for the connection of the Minoan palaces with the creation of an emblematic cultural route and the second for the implementation of the access project, with a slope lift, for the disabled and disabled people, in Ideo Andros, were signed yesterday by the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoniand by the Prefect of Crete Stavros Arnautakisin the presence of the Mayor of Lasithi Plateau Giannis Stefanakis.
Also, between the YPPOA, the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Minoa Pediada and the Technical University of Crete, the Program Agreement was signed for the restoration of the Thrapsanos School, a declared monument, which suffered great damage from the earthquake of September 2021.
After the signing of the two memoranda, the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated, “We received the Regional Governor of Crete and the Mayor of Oropedi at the Ministry and we signed the Program Contract for the implementation of the project of creating the elevator and upgrading the wider surrounding area in Dikteo Andros, in order to make the cave accessible to all our fellow citizens, as today there is great difficulty in getting hindered persons up into the cave. With the regeneration of the wider area, the Lasithi Plateau acquires a very important cultural pole as well as a huge development resource. The second programming contract we signed is for the Minoan palaces, an initiative of the Region of Crete and the Ministry of Culture, which prepared the submission of the nomination file to UNESCO next September when the file will be submitted.
At the same time today with the Regional Governor and I thank him especially for this, after hard work of the services, we signed the Memorandum of Cooperation in order for the Strategic Study to be prepared by the development company of the Region of Crete. The third Programmatic Agreement concerns the school in Thrapsanos, a school declared a monument which was affected by the last earthquakes and therefore it was the duty of all of us to restore it. I am particularly happy that the last contracts we are signing for this term concern the projects in Crete, a Region with which we have a stable and excellent cooperation».
The Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnautakis, said, “I would like to express my thanks to Mrs. Mendoni and the Ministry Services for the signing of the Program Contracts that we have prepared so that important archaeological projects can be carried out on the Lasithi Plateau and with the integrated spatial investment for the Minoan palaces but also for the school in Thrapsanos. Projects that have been prepared throughout the previous period of time and we hope that they can be included in the programs where they have already been included in the Recovery Fund and the NSRF so that we can implement them for the benefit of the citizens of Crete, the cultural stock of our island and the approach even more tourists”.
Yiannis Stefanakis Mayor of Oropedi Lasithiou noted, “These are major projects, which have been a constant request for decades by all municipal and community authorities and mainly concern the upgrading of the mythological cave of the birth and upbringing of Zeus, Diktaeus Andros, which is directly connected with the legend of Europe and visited by more than 200,000 visitors every year. With the interventions foreseen, the space will be returned to the visitors with an upgrade of the services provided in a dignified manner. With Europe Square and the cable car for disabled access, the space will take on a complete form and with the magnificence that befits the mythological cave of Xenios Zeus. We thank the Minister for the effort that began three years ago and today is being sealed in the best way. We are starting the works immediately and we are sure that we will have an important monument for our visitors”.
The Minoan Palaces, a cultural walk…
With the signing of the memorandum of cooperation, by the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni and the regional governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis, not only the creation of the cultural route that will connect the Minoan palatial centers of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos and Kydonia but also all the required actions for the planning, maturation and implementation of the project of the emblematic routes, of the Regional Operational Program of Crete 2021-2027.
The project is implemented in the context of the submission of the nomination file for the serial registration of the Minoan palatial centers in its World Heritage List, which will be submitted by the YPPOA to UNESCO, in September. The aim of the Ministry of Culture is not only the promotion, protection and restoration of archaeological sites, but also the upgrading of infrastructure and the provision of services to visitors to enrich their experiences.
The cultural route includes Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos and Kydonia and Minoan archaeological sites, in the wider area of the six palace centers, including Archanes, where many ancient remains of the Minoan era can be found which are related to the palatial center of Knossos.
This unique cultural route, which will connect the Minoan palaces, refers to the strategy of the YPPOA for the economic development and the creation of jobs in the local areas. The budget for the implementation of the project amounts to 15,000,000 euros, and is included in the OHE file, which is prepared by the Special Service for the Management of the CRETE Operational Program, through the General Directorate of Development Planning of the Region of Crete.
The Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Region also provides for the preparation of the required and necessary studies for the implementation of the respective projects of protection, promotion and consolidation of the archaeological sites and monuments. The projects aim to improve routes for universal access for disabled people, upgrade entrances, lighting and fire extinguishing systems. The upgrade of the vehicle parking infrastructure, the beautification of the facades of adjacent buildings, the creation of infrastructure to serve the public as well as studies of traffic regulations with the upgrade of the road accesses to the Minoan palatial centers are also foreseen.
With an elevator, Dikteo Antro is accessible to everyone
Within the timetables, the implementation of the installation of a slope lift, in the outdoor area, of the cave of Dikteos Andros on the Lasithi Plateau, is progressing, for the possible access of the disabled and people with disabilities. With the Program Contract signed by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, the Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis and the Mayor of Lasithi Plateau Yiannis Stefanakis, the infrastructure upgrade of Dikteo Andros, with a budget of 15,300,000 euros, is underway, with funding from the Recovery Fund.
The intervention to improve the accessibility of the Cave is part of the strategy of the government and the YPPOA for the universal access of citizens to all of our cultural heritage. At the same time, with the implementation of the program for the construction and installation of the elevator, the redesign of Europe Square, in the community of Psychrou, is progressing, where the elevator will be placed, also being the starting point of the ascent to the archaeological site.
The location of the elevator, parking spaces and cultural events are provided for in the approved design study for Europe Square prepared by the Municipality of Oropedi Lasithi. The building infrastructure of “Xenia” will be utilized as a public information center, ticket office, shop and exhibition space. At the same time, access and tour paths are being restored, inside and outside the cave, the project of lighting and highlighting the Diktaeus Andros is being implemented, while rock fixing projects are being implemented on the external slopes and inside it.
The archaeological supervision of the archaeological investigations and works, during the execution of the technical works, is the responsibility of the Ephorates of Paleoanthropology-Speleology and Antiquities of Lasithi.
Program for Thrapsanou School
The Program Contract for the restoration of the Thrapsanos School, proclaimed as the newest monument, with a budget of 173,000 euros, which was signed between the Ministry of the Interior, the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Minoa Pediada and the Technical University of Crete, provides for the development of a research program by the Technical University of Crete , for the restoration of the building, after the 2021 earthquake
The purpose of the research program is the scientific investigation and diagnosis of the causes of the appearance and progression of its structural damage, their documentation and the pathology caused due to the seismic activity of September 2021. The required reinforcing measures will be proposed to improve the seismic behavior of the , in conjunction with its foundation. The results of the research actions and proposals will indicate the required work, so that the intervention program for the restoration of the monument can be drawn up by the competent bodies.
Source :Skai
I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
