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The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, inspected the works being carried out at the Kasta Tomb in Amphipolis and stated that the goal is to open it to the public in 2027.

As she explained, “the dome above the statues of the two sphinxes has already been restored in an exemplary manner.”

At the burial monument, surface cleanings, crack fillings, and restorations of detached marble fragments were carried out. The scaffolding from the mosaic of the Abduction of Persephone has been removed, and the cleaning of the mosaic is nearing completion. The educational restoration of part of the enclosure and the formation of the entrance to the burial monument have been completed. At the same time, the final studies for the development of visitor routes around the Tomb, the creation of a museum space directly related to the monument, and the creation of visitor reception infrastructure are being completed.

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Detailed Statement by Mendoni on the Kasta Tomb Work

“The Kasta Tomb in Amphipolis is a unique monument in Greek territory with international visibility. Our aim is to highlight it in the best way possible, based on the principles of science and ethics. The work is progressing within the set timelines. Significant milestones for the restoration of the monument are now completed. The dome above the statues of the two sphinxes has already been restored in an exemplary manner. A series of approximately 3,500 anchors – which are invisible but necessary – have been applied to stabilize the dome and prevent future problems for the monument. Our central aim is that this monument, due to its uniqueness, should be accessible, as much as possible given its nature, to people with disabilities and visitors. Our goal is to open it to the public in 2027. I would like to thank the current Regional Governor and future Greek Commissioner to the EU, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, for his steady support for the Ministry of Culture’s project and his love for this particular monument. However, Amphipolis is not only the Kasta Tomb. The Ministry of Culture, using funds from the TAAs (Special Fund), is financing the restoration of the Ancient Wooden Bridge and additionally the completion of the Archaeological Park. The area has enormous cultural resources. The completion, in 2025, of the Ancient Wooden Bridge and the Archaeological Park, and in 2027 of the Kasta Tomb, will make the wider region of Central Macedonia a development pole benefiting both culture and the local economy.”

The Project

The first phase of the project was included in the Regional Operational Program of Central Macedonia – ESF 2014-2020 in 2018, with an initial budget of €1,500,000. In 2020, the entire project was redesigned by the relevant services of the Ministry of Culture, the Directorate of Restoration of Ancient Monuments, and the Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments, in cooperation with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Serres, as significant omissions were noted in the initial proposal. Additionally, the budget was revised, with an additional €300,000 from the Central Macedonia Regional Operational Program and €400,000 from the Ministry of Culture, as well as the project completion schedule. The first phase, including protection, conservation, and restoration works of the prominent monument and the Tomb, was completed within the revised timelines.

The Minister of Culture was accompanied by the General Secretary of the Ministry, Giorgos Didaskalou, the Deputy Regional Governor of Serres, Panagiotis Spyropoulos, the Mayor of Amphipolis, Stergios Frastanlis, and the relevant service staff of the Ministry of Culture.