The Ministry of Culture of Greece is undertaking a significant project to conserve and restore the Minoan Palace of Phaistos, the second most important palatial complex in Crete. This initiative runs in parallel with ongoing efforts to upgrade visitor facilities and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. The project, funded by the Regional Operational Program “Crete” – ESPA 2021-2027, focuses on the conservation and restoration of ancient remains, the installation of new shelters, and the stabilization of slopes at the site.
To advance this crucial work, the Central Archaeological Council has unanimously approved a series of studies: geological and geophysical, geotechnical, building materials research, hydraulic, architectural, static, and special architectural preliminary studies. Additionally, a technical report on the conservation status, pathology recognition, and conservation proposals for the Old Palace and the Royal Apartments has been endorsed.
A Multifaceted Approach to Preservation
Lina Mendoni, the Minister of Culture, emphasized the importance of Phaistos, stating, “The Minoan Palace of Phaistos…is included in the nomination file that our country has submitted for the serial inscription of the Minoan palaces on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025.” She highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to upgrading visitor facilities and improving accessibility, a €2,500,000 project also funded through the Regional Operational Program “Crete” 2021-2027.
The project involves a comprehensive approach to protect the site:
- Modernizing protective shelters: The existing shelters, constructed in the 1960s, will be replaced with new ones designed to provide comprehensive protection while minimizing contact with the ancient walls and preventing water accumulation.
- Conserving and stabilizing ancient remains: This includes strengthening the structural integrity of the monumental complex and implementing measures to protect it from the increasingly frequent flooding caused by climate change.
- Stabilizing slopes: Critical points prone to landslides will be reinforced, and rainwater management systems will be implemented to prevent further erosion and protect the monument from floods.
- Restoring the Old Palace and Royal Apartments: This involves dismantling the existing shelters, replacing them with new ones, implementing preventive conservation measures, protecting the structures from rainwater, and carrying out consolidation work on the walls.
Mendoni stressed the holistic nature of the project, aiming to “protect the monumental remains to the maximum extent possible and, at the same time, deliver to the public a functionally and aesthetically upgraded archaeological site.”
Addressing the Challenges of Time and Climate
The archaeological site of Phaistos is included in the National Strategic Plan developed by the Ministry of Culture to address the impact of the climate crisis on Greece’s cultural heritage. This plan recognizes the site’s vulnerability to natural phenomena such as earthquakes, fires, and flooding. The current project takes these challenges into account, aiming to mitigate the risks posed by climate change and ensure the long-term preservation of this significant cultural landmark.
The special architectural study includes conservation proposals for the Old Palace and Royal Apartments. These proposals consider the various deterioration mechanisms that have affected the different materials over time, taking into account their location, the impact of past disasters like earthquakes and fires, and the influence of climatic and environmental factors.
A Rich History of Occupation and Discovery
The hill of Phaistos has been inhabited continuously from the 4th millennium BC to the 2nd century BC. The Old Palace, built between 1900-1700 BC, was destroyed twice by earthquakes and rebuilt. Its architectural remains are well-preserved, with walls reaching a height of 6 meters in the sheltered section. After its final destruction around 1700 BC, the New Palace was erected on a higher level and inhabited until the mid-15th century BC. This newer palace, smaller but more monumental, featured all the characteristics of a Minoan palace, including a central court, wings on four sides, a processional way, a monumental entrance with a staircase, luxurious halls, lustral basins, royal apartments, storerooms, workshops, and magnificent staircases.
The city surrounding the palace continued to flourish, particularly during the Geometric (810-700 BC) and Hellenistic periods (323-67 BC). Around 150 BC, the city of Phaistos was finally destroyed. Excavation of the palace began in 1900 by Italian archaeologists Federico Halbherr and Luigi Pernier, who discovered the famous Phaistos Disc in 1908. Excavations continued throughout the 20th century, uncovering the Old Palace and parts of the city from prehistoric and historical periods.
The conservation and restoration efforts at Phaistos represent a significant investment in the preservation of Greece’s cultural heritage. By combining modern technology and archaeological expertise, the Ministry of Culture is ensuring that this important site will continue to inspire and educate visitors for generations to come.
