The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni has been subjected to the projects implemented by the services of the Ministry of Culture and the ODAP- budget of 8,500,000 euros- in the archaeological site of ancient Olympia.

He also visited the monuments for which the commencement of the launch of protection, restoration and promotion work, in the context of the approved Sustainable Urban Reconstruction (BAA) of the Municipalities of Pyrgos-Ilida- Ancient Olympia of the Western Greece Regional Program 2021-2027.

The projects are in full swing, with a horizon of completion in 2025, which are implemented by the Department of Restoration of Byzantine and Post -Byzantine Monuments on the Early Christian basilica, which is based on the residues of the Pheidia Laboratory.

The Laboratory of Pheidias – Early Christian Basilica, is one of the most important monuments of the archaeological site of Olympia, because it fully retains the remains of the classic building phase – which has been identified with the Laboratory of Pheidia – while at the same time. It is also one of the few monuments of the archaeological site of Olympia whose use was continuous from the classical to the Byzantine era, when the sanctuary of Olympia had ceased to function.

The Department of Restoration of Byzantine and Post -Byzantine Monuments of the Ministry of Culture also implements the maintenance and rehabilitation task of the Heat of the Leonidian, dating to the 3rd century. A.D. It is a bath consisting of four arched halls and is the only building, inside the archaeological site, which saves almost entirely its roof. Its mosaics of the floors are still preserved and highlighted, the perfected wall heating system, as well as its water system.

The Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia has undertaken and completed the restoration and maintenance of the southern Thermos complex. It is a building that composes a very complex plan, so far difficult to read by the visitor. The choice of erection of the monument seems to have emerged on the basis of the dynamic timeless evolution of ancient Olympia, and its operation served the growing needs of visitors. The dating of the monument is about 300 AD, although newer elements that occurred during the project are likely to allow it to be earlier dated.

The three new projects, the start of implementation by the competent departments of the Ministry of Culture, after the approval of the BAA by the Region of Western Greece, with a total budget of EUR 3,600,000 are:

  1. The third phase of the revelation and promotion of the Gymnasium -the only preserved Olympic dimensions of a monument of its kind.
  2. The restoration of the lobby of the treasure of the Crontius Hill.
  3. The restoration of the Octagon, part of the Eastern Thermos (3rd century AD), or the so -called “house of Nero”, Nero’s villa (1st century AD), which was constructed specifically for the residence of the emperor, who came to Olympia, took part in Olympia. The complex is preserved in quite good condition, while the floor mosaics depicting marine beings are impressive.

Lina Mendoni said: ‘Today, during a work visit to Ancient Olympia, we had the opportunity to see closely the works, which are ongoing in the archaeological site, which proceeding on the basis of their timetables. By 2020, we have prepared a strategic plan for the restoration and promotion of Roman monuments within the archaeological site of ancient Olympia. With resources of about 4,000,000 euros from the recovery fund, we restore three prominent monuments and upgrade the service and experience of visitors to the archaeological site. These are works of major importance to Ancient Olympia, not only because important monuments are restored and attributed to its site and visitors, but because, in essence, expanding the time of visit to the archaeological site, the visitors’ stay in Ancient Olympia is extended. The highlight of the buildings of this period is to give a new look and perspective to the archaeological site. At the same time, it is extremely important that after the approval of sustainable urban regeneration by the Region of Western Greece, three new projects are included, with particularly important monuments of the archaeological site, with a total budget of EUR 3,600,000, which begin next. Thanks to the Regional Governor of Western Greece Nektarios Farmakis, with whom we have, over the years, excellent cooperation and the management authority of the Region, with which the Ministry of Culture has a stable and highly constructive relationship“

Lina Mendoni also carried out an autopsy on the construction site of the new modern and operating tickets for the issue of tickets and the shop, a project implemented by the Organization for Management and Development of Cultural Resources (ODAP) – EUR 750,000 from TAA resources – as well as in the building.

L. Mendoni: Gripas returned to his home – every repatriation reminds us of our big national issue

Subsequently, the Minister of Culture attended the ceremony held at the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia, for the delivery of the head of Grypa, which was repatriated by the Metropolitan Museum of New York (MET) in late February.

As she noted, in her greeting, ‘The Today’s ceremony demonstrates the importance, true and emotional, which is the repatriation of this head of Gripa, at the Museum of Ancient Olympia, here in the area it belongs to. Someone or some people, more than 2,500 years ago -is chronicized in 650-625 BC, chose to offer the bronze tripod levet, which was adorned by the three heads of Gripa, an excellent sample of ancient Greek metalworking to the father of the gods, Olympios Zeus. Every repatriation is a special moment for the whole family of the Ministry of Culture. Every repatriation of cultural good, which has been illegally extracted from our country is directly linked to our cultural identity. This experiences and feels much better, who lives in the space in which he returns, returns and repatriahes the cultural good. Because you are the actors of this culture that has been living and growing for thousands of years now. Every individual repatriation reminds us of our major national demand: the repatriation and reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures on the Earth that gave birth to them, under the Attic light. I would like to wish the Griffas who turns back – this mixer being, which combines the body of the lion with the wings and head of the eagle – to be the good omen, which will contribute, with its dynamics and presence, to turn around, not too far, and not too far away,“

The investigation by the competent Directorate of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods of the Ministry of Culture in the Archaeological Service Archive proved beyond any doubt that the head of Gripas, which until recently was in Met, is identical to the one found in Ancient Olympia in December 1914. The ancient one had been found in the riverbed of the River Kladeou, next to the ancient high school of Olympia, in soil dragged by the river and surrendered by the curator to the Museum of Ancient Olympia, where it was cleaned. The first publication of the ancient head with photographic documentation took place in 1915, in the archaeological bulletin, the official edition of the Archaeological Service. According to the archival material found by the competent department, Gripas was stolen in the 1930s by the Museum. The first reference to his loss is made in 1937-1938, at the annual report of the German excavators of Olympia. In 1940, the Archaeological Service investigated the theft case, which appears to be done in 1936 and proceeded with appropriate actions against persons who were responsible for guarding the collections during this period. The corresponding research in the Metrian’s records confirmed the time of the theft of the head, as it appears to have been sold in the summer of 1936 by a Greek archaeologist to the American Archaeological J. Brummer, to be sold in 1948 to the WC Baker, and ended up with a donation in 1971, in 1971.

The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni was accompanied by Western Greece’s Regional Governor Nektarios Farmakis, the Mayor of Ancient Olympia Aristidis Panagiotopoulos, the Director General of Antiquities and Cultural Center Antiquities of Ilia Erofilis Kollia and other officials of the Ministry of Culture.