Restoration work at Ancient Nicopolis in northwestern Greece is moving the site closer to a potential UNESCO World Heritage listing, and it is also a clear reminder of how much historic preservation depends on skilled masonry conservation.
Greece’s Ministry of Culture says a wide-ranging program of protection, restoration, conservation, and site enhancement has been completed in recent years, returning the archaeological complex to the local community and improving how visitors experience it. The ministry has submitted a preliminary dossier to start UNESCO’s evaluation process, calling Nicopolis a monument complex that documents the transition from the Hellenistic world to the Roman Empire and later to the Christian era.
One infrastructure move with big preservation impact was a road bypass around the archaeological area. By removing the national highway’s passage through the site, officials said it restored the unity and integrity of the ancient complex.
For contractors and craftspeople who work on legacy structures, the Great Theater project stands out for its nuts and bolts scope. The second phase of work, budgeted at €3.377 million, included removing accumulated soil deposits, restoring infrastructure in the lower seating area, repairing masonry, and restoring retaining walls. Temporary metal supports were also installed on the stage building to protect the monument. A third phase, budgeted at €3.5 million, is planned to restore the stage building and backstage areas, restore the orchestra, complete seating, add accessibility infrastructure, and install a drainage system.
Elsewhere on site, a separate project at the House of the Ekdikos Georgios uncovered 36 new spaces and rooms, restored sections of masonry, and reconstructed two columns. Additional work has focused on conserving and enhancing mosaics at Basilica A and Basilica D, along with an accessible route around Basilica D.
Read the full, original article from tovima.com here.