The Ministry of Culture is creating new infrastructure in the archaeological site of Phaistos, for the universal accessibility of visitors but also for its fire protection and lightning shield.

The project, with a total budget of EUR 2,500,000, is part of the Crete-NSRF Regional Operational Program 2021-2027, according to a statement from the Ministry of Culture.

Phaistos, along with five other Minoan palaces, is included in the Serial Registration in the UNESCO World Heritage List, requested by our country for 2025.

“Our goal is, through the proposed interventions, to form a modern functional and safe archaeological site. In addition, this year, in the context of the National Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Culture to address the impact of the climate crisis, the management plan of the archaeological site of Phaistos is completed, as it is a place of great cultural traffic of Crete, “said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

The work

According to the Ministry of Culture in Phaistos Upgraded the waterfighting networkby expanding and reinforcing the existing system.

Critical assumptions are the decrease in rainfall, the increased frequency of fires, the expansion of the site, the construction of new buildings and the improvement of existing fire protection infrastructures.

The pumping station extension, the reinforcement of the firefighting network with new equipment (10 water launchers and 26 firefighters), contribute to the effective coverage of the space.

Faneromeni barrier and the water supply network of the Municipality of Phaistos are utilized for fire fighting, ensuring uninterrupted flow. The new Fire Brigade is placed on the existing pumping station.

The archaeological site of Phaistos, vulnerable due to the proximity to Psiloritis and the lack of organized measures light protectionintervention is needed immediately.

Two are proposed resorts: The existing shelter at the ticket office, capacity of 270 people, and a new infrastructure shelter, capacity of 400 people. At the same time, it is necessary to protect the fire extinguishing pumping station to ensure its operation at extreme weather.

Immediate alert of visitors will be done in cases of danger through loudspeakers at four strategic points in the archaeological site.

The installation points were selected on the basis of the optimal coverage of the visiting archaeological site, the routes of visitors and the parking lot, the same announcement concludes.