March 12, 2026

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Lina Mendoni: 8 million euros for the repair of the Knossos Palace. New projects for tourists


Minister of Culture of Greece Lina Mendoni She stated that Minoan civilization should be recognized all over the world as “The cradle of Western civilization”and this should be a national goal.

Speaking in parliament, the minister noted: “The Ministry of Culture is fully aware of a huge responsibility for the preservation of cultural heritage and has taken all the necessary measures. Now the goal is The list of World Heritage It must be national and one. And what is this goal? Minoic civilization should be recognized and fixed in the world as what it is: the cradle of Western civilization ”.

Answering a party’s question from the party Pasco-kinall (Pasco-move for changes) Frankiscos Parasiris O “Knossos and the necessary work on preservation and restoration”Mendoni said that May 17, 2025 Knosses suffered from gusts of wind by force 9 points on the boxing scale In the form of a tornado. “The Queen’s Palace, where a copy of the fresco is located, is now not available. That is, it is closed to the public, but not for winds. The Queen Palace has large open openings, the so -called multi -door systems leading out, and an open light well through which strong air flows arise ”– she explained, adding that this is noticeable to everyone who visited the palace.

Mendoni clarified that “The royal chambers, including the king’s palace and the Queen Palace, are part of the palace and are closed to visitors since the 1980s”. She also reported that restoration The palace of the king completed with financing from Pep Crete Espa 2014–2020 (Crete's regional development program, European structural and investment financing). The project was included in the program in September 2019 with the budget 1,000,000 eurosand was engaged in implementation Eporia of the archeology of Iraklion.

The minister emphasized: “In 2019, when we started work, there was not a single ready -made program for Knotsu. A real marathon and coordinated efforts to prepare projects followed 350,000 eurosfunded from the budget of the Ministry of Culture. Preparation of projects for the restoration of the monument is not an easy task. It is necessary to solve scientific and methodological issues, and the monument itself often dictates the deadlines “. She added that the ministry services have developed a number of projects that allow you to finance work from ESPA 2021–2027. Also, in cooperation with the Crete region, a strategy for complex territorial investments was created, including Crete routes, with an emphasis on improving the experience of visitors in the Minoi palace centers, such as Knosses, Fest And Malia.

Mendoni reported that from Pep Crete Espa 2014–2020 Highlighted 900,000 eurosand from territorial investments – 8,000,000 euros The following projects:

  • Buildings for receiving visitors and modernizing the entrance zones in the Minosky Palace of Knosso – Budget 3 300,000 euros.
  • Restoration and improvement of the Queen of the Queen and Routes for Visitors – Budget 1,800,000 euros.
  • Installation of a permanent water supply and fire extinguishing system – budget 2,000,000 euros.

In addition, within Recovery fund The project ends “National strategy for adapting the protection of monuments to the consequences of climate change” value 2,000,000 euroswhich turns on Knoss. Another project, for 2,500,000 euros From the Restoration Fund, applies to monitoring systems for climate change on the microclimate of monuments – such systems are already installed in the KNOSSU. Also for 750,000 euros A store has been repaired and modernized from the recovery fund, working since May 2024. Since April 2024, visits were introduced through electronic tickets, which significantly improved the flow of visitors.

Answering a deputy's question Paso On the agreement with the Crete region from 2019, Mendoni noted: “In April 2019, a program agreement was signed with the region of Crete on 140,000 euros. However, due to the error of the Ministry of Culture related to incompatibility with the then legislation, the agreement was not fully implemented, and only 38 500 euros. To prepare a dossier on inclusion in the list, the ministry allocated 145,000 euros From your budget. The work began on November 30, 2020 and ended on September 30, 2023 “.

In conclusion, the minister added: “This is to pay tribute and dispel any impressions”.



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