The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has unveiled a five-year plan involving more than 300 members of its teaching and research staff to lend their know-how to help protect the monuments and cultural heritage of Epirus, northwestern Greece.

The project includes the restoration and preservation of some 150 monuments in the area through finding solutions and overseeing their implementation. The idea of the initiative came following the collapse of historic bridges in the region during the winter’s heavy rains. The loss served to reveal the need to maintain and protect monuments in the area.

The single-arch bridges of Arta, Konitsa, Zagori and Vovousa are to be given top priority. Experts are also going to examine whether the collapse Korakas bridge can be restored.

The Epirus regional authority agreed to the university’s proposal, confirming this in a meeting held the previous Thursday between representatives of the university and the authority’s chief Alexandros Kahrimanis in Ioannina. A five-year contract outlining the actions to be taken is to be signed by the end of the month.