Greece Carrying Out Renovations, Upgrades for Cultural Monuments, Sites Worth €1bn

Greece is currently carrying out and planning renovations and upgrades for cultural monuments and sites that add up to 1 billion euros, according to Greek Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni.

During her presentation at the recent Olympia Forum ΙΙΙ conference, organized by the Delphi Economic Forum and Patris newspaper, Mendoni discussed culture’s dynamic and productive role in regional and national development by offering new jobs and supporting the overall prosperity of local communities.

“With a budget accumulating to over 1 billion euros, the Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out and also planning to start over 650 different works across Greece. Today, more than 4,000 people are working on these projects without including the ones employed by foster companies. These numbers are a standing proof that the ministry is one of the biggest employers in Greece as we speak,” said Mendoni.

Greek Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni at the Olympia Forum III. Photo source: Ministry of Culture

She went on to underline that the “economy of culture” and its numerous benefits is also the reason why the ministry has been included in Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ list of “ministries of development” since 2019.

Cultural tourism

“Let’s not forget,” she added, “that where cultural heritage is involved, it adds value to all public or privately funded projects. Our projects contribute instrumentally to Greece’s tourist product related to cultural tourism which is proven to cover 40 percent of tourism revenue overall.”

Mendoni used the example of the recently opened underwater museums in Magnesia that are enhancing diving tourism in the area, highlighting that cultural tourism can attract higher income visitors and create new tourism destinations.

Underwater museum in Magnisia. Photo source: Greek Ministry of Culture.

While on the subject, the minister offered an update regarding the re-development of the former royal estate at Tatoi.

“A large part of the estate will be open for visitors until 2025 and we will use the invaluable know – how from the Prince’s Foundation Dumfries House estate to run and manage it in the best possible way,” said Mendoni.

The minister also discussed the reconstruction of Ilia after the multiple natural disasters the region faced during the previous decades.

The Tatoi Estate. Photo source: Ministry of Culture.

During her contribution at the Olympia Forum’s panel entitled “A holistic study of the reconstruction of Ilia with a focus on Ancient Olympia” Mendoni urged local entrepreneurs to support Ilia’s tourism product and assist the Ministry’s future creation of cultural routes connected to Ilia’s well – known archaeological sites and areas of natural beauty.

The Olympia Forum, organized for a third consecutive year, focused on discussing and presenting best practices related to local and regional development, economic integration, inclusive growth and social cohesion.