CULTURE

Brauron sanctuary to get facelift

It took 26 years for things to start moving at the archaeological site of Brauron, which is home to the Sanctuary of Artemis, one of the most ancient and famous sanctuaries in Attica. Now that the restoration of the site has been slated to receive funds from the Third Community Support Framework (CSFIII), its shameful abandonment will finally come to an end – because, for certain, the weed-covered area, which floods with every rainfall and is little more than a pool of mud during the winter season, is not flattering to the Ministry of Culture. The project includes the renovation of the museum and much-needed waterproofing work on the building’s roof. It also foresees organizing educational programs and putting the museum’s courtyard to use by hosting a variety of functions there. Earlier this week, General Secretary for Culture Christos Zachopoulos was shown around the archaeological site by Vivi Vassilopoulou from the Second Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities; the discussion between the two focused on the problems plaguing this significant site. The floods, mud and weeds are familiar to those who have been able to reach the site, but the often extensive flooding has meant that the area was frequently inaccessible. Now, though, the Ministry of Public Works has been brought in to conduct a study on anti-flooding measures that can be applied to the area. Another decision that was reached during the meeting was to improve signposting on the roads leading to the museum, which houses significant items from the sanctuary, as well as from the Mycenaean cemetery of Perati (modern Porto Rafti), while thousands of items excavated before the Olympics in preparation for the Games (alas the museum never did get the facelift it was promised for that event) are still stuck in storage.

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