The Ministry of Culture, through the Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza and the Directorate of Restoration of Ancient Monuments, is proceeding with the restoration of the stage building and backstage area of the grand theatre in Ancient Nicopolis, incorporating specific interventions into the overall plan for the enhancement of the archaeological site.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture, restoration programs concerning the theatre’s cavea have already been completed, while work on the restoration of the orchestra is ongoing.
Simultaneously, intensive work is progressing on the stabilization, restoration, conservation, and development of the House of Georgios Ekdikos, the luxurious villa of the Roman official, and Basilica A of Dometios.
The Directorate of Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments has also completed the restoration of the Gate of the Basilica of Alkison.
“The restoration of the grand theatre, the house of Georgios Ekdikos, and the very significant early Christian Basilicas is part of the overall plan to enhance the monuments of Nicopolis,” said Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni during her recent inspection of the archaeological site of Nicopolis. She added, “The construction of the theatre is part of Octavian’s building program and is linked to the revival of the ‘Actian Games’ in honor of Apollo.
The proposal for the restoration and reconstruction of the theatre’s stage building and backstage area follows the ancient building system according to Roman standards and aims to protect, enhance, and reuse the monument. Restoration work on the theatre’s orchestra is also ongoing. The resources for the work on the grand theatre come from the Epirus Regional Operational Program of the NSRF 2014-2020 and 2021-2027, and I want to thank Regional Governor Alexandros Kachrimanis for our excellent cooperation over the years.
The work on the other monuments of Nicopolis is funded by the Ministry of Culture through Recovery Fund resources. The holistic enhancement of Nicopolis, a particularly extensive and important archaeological site, is a priority for the Ministry of Culture. Our goal is to initiate the candidacy of Nicopolis for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.”
Ancient Nicopolis was built by Augustus Octavian in a grid layout based on Roman urban planning principles, to honor the gods for his victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. The theatre, originally constructed in the 1st century AD, was luxuriously upgraded in the 2nd century AD with a taller stage building and a surrounding portico. It had a capacity of 8,000 spectators, which could be increased to 10,000 with maximum use of space.
The House of Georgios Ekdikos, a large and luxurious urban residence, is situated on a hill and is surrounded by four streets, occupying a building block of approximately 9,000 square meters. A mosaic floor in the house bears the name of Georgios Ekdikos, an official responsible for defending citizens’ rights against the state. Based on the building systems, three construction phases are identified from the 1st century to the early 7th century AD.
Basilica A, known as the Basilica of Dometios, named after two bishops according to inscriptions in its mosaic floors, was dedicated to Saint Demetrius. Its construction by the first Dometios dates to the mid-6th century, while the completion of the church’s decoration is attributed to his namesake successor on the episcopal throne, between 550-575.
Basilica B, also known as the Basilica of Alkison, is part of a larger ecclesiastical complex of approximately 6,000 square meters. Its construction is dated to the mid or late 5th century AD and is associated with Bishop Alkison. Due to its size and luxurious construction, it is considered to have been the episcopal seat of Nicopolis.
