“The Mayor not only refused but actively fought the project on Vasilissis Olgas,” stated Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni following journalists’ questions to the ministry regarding remarks made by the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, about the redevelopment of the road.

In recent days, the Mayor of Athens had described the project as particularly important for the city, noting χαρακτηριστικά that “this road has been through a lot. It has been closed since 2020. It is a project of great significance—a small road with great value.”

Lina Mendoni, for her part, responded that “today Haris Doukas not only accepts and admires the road, which completes the unification of Athens’ archaeological sites, but also adopts it as his own, forgetting that the implementing body of the project, Anaplasi S.A., has—since 2024—been under the supervision of five Ministries, including the Ministry of Culture.”

In detail, the Minister of Culture’s statement regarding Haris Doukas and Vasilissis Olgas reads: “It is particularly noteworthy that the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, declares himself proud and pleased with the completion of the Vasilissis Olgas road project. A project which the Mayor not only refused but actively opposed, as it ran counter to his pre-election vision for Athens. I am pleased, because today Haris Doukas not only accepts and admires the road—which completes the unification of Athens’ archaeological sites—but also adopts it as his own, forgetting that the implementing body of the project, Anaplasi S.A., has—since 2024—been under the supervision of five Ministries, including the Ministry of Culture.

The planning of the project began in the 1990s. Its implementation was among the priorities of Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis. At the time, the Ministry of Culture collaborated with the Municipality of Athens, as the redesign of Vasilissis Olgas highlights major archaeological and historical sites of the city. The works carried out for the redevelopment of the road brought to light very important antiquities, which complement the picture of Athens during its transition from classical antiquity to the Roman period. Their promotion makes Athens’ ‘multi-modal road’ one of the most valuable landmarks in the capital’s long historical continuity.”