Permanent fence placed in Portara Naxos. The project, approved by the Ministry of CultureFollowing the unanimous opinion of the Central Archaeological Council, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades was implemented, “just as it was planned from the outset, but they took place unrecognizable arrests of archaeological services, unnecessary disputes and unnecessary actions, which disturbed the cooperation of the ministry”.

The same announcement also refers to the resignation of the request of the Municipality, which was to be discussed before the Naxos Court of First Instance on 29/9 and concerned the immediate removal of the temporary fence of the monument of the Temple of Apollo (Portara), on the island of Palatia of Naxos.

Following is the whole announcement of the Ministry of Culture:

“On 29.09.2025, the request of Naxos Mayor against the Ministry of Culture was due to be discussed before the Naxos Court of First Instance, with the request of the immediate removal of the temporary fence of the monument of the Temple of Apollo (Portara), on the island of Palatia. However, the Municipality of Naxos told the Court of First Instance that it was resigning, resulting in the abolition of the trial, without issuing the – obviously rejection against the Municipality – a court ruling.

It is recalled that, due to an incident of a visitor offender, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades placed a rough fence of the monument for the period from 29.07.2025, when the incident happened, until 27th.09.2025, when it would be settled by the Framework and the Fit of the corresponding credit by the Ministry of Culture. The Ephorate of Cyclades had informed the Municipality of Naxos from the outset that the placement of a rough fence, for the above provisional period, was an action compulsory by law 4858/2021, by the employees, while any failure would cause criminal and disciplinary penalties.

However, the Mayor, with his personal choice, and without approval by the Municipal Committee, caused the arrest of the officials of the Ephorate of Antiquities, to bring them to the Police Department and their typing as subordinates, which received widespread publicity. In addition, the mayor asked the court to order the removal of the temporary fence, immediately before 27th.09.2025, as the Ministry of Culture had planned and therefore to leave the monument, without any demarcation and protection, until then. And this, although already a second offending incident took place, on the night of the 11th to 12th.08.2025. With its current resignation, the municipality prevented from issuing a judicial judgment on its request, causing the mandatory abolition of the trial.

In order to avoid repetition of inaccurate statements on behalf of the Municipality, in which he had made 20th.08.2025, when the provisional order of the Court had been issued, it is noted – and is documented by documents – that the date of the 29th.07.2025, to replace the temporary fencing by the Court of Justice, was not required by the Court of Justice. Ministry of Culture. On the contrary, it was the date that the Ministry of Culture itself had decided from the outset and had written in writing – awarded it from 17.08.2025 of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades – its earlier, from 20.08.2025, a provisional order.

Finally, it is noted that, as early as 26.09.2025, the Ephorate of Antiquities, earlier than the original timetable, completed the work of the permanent fence, as approved by the Ministry of Culture, following the unanimous opinion of the Central Archaeological Council. That is, the Ministry of Culture implemented the project, just as it was planned from the outset, but they took place unaccompanied arrests of archaeological officials, unnecessary disputes and unnecessary actions, which disturbed the cooperation of the competent services of the Ministry of Culture with the Municipal Authority.