Restoration of the Parthenon pediment started and the restoration of the Grand Theatre of Cassope has been funded!

Restoration work gets under way on Parthenon pediment

Restoration work on the western pediment of the Parthenon temple began Thursday as part of the ongoing project to restore and reconstruct monuments on the hill of the Acropolis. The project, which was recently incorporated in the European Union-backed Partnership Agreement for 2014-20 known as ESPA, has a budget of 5 million euros. The work is expected to take two years to complete.

The western pediment was damaged, as was the rest of the temple, by cannon fire during a siege by the Venetians in 1687. The temple suffered further damages when sculptural remnants were hacked away in the early 19th century on behalf of British ambassador Lord Elgin, who, in turn, sold them to the British government.

Apart from work being carried out to the Parthenon’s western pediment, restoration will also be carried out on the north wall of the ancient monument as well as to the Propylaea and the Erechtheion.


Restoration work of the Grand Theatre of Cassope has been funded

I've received an e-mail that The Cassope campaign Pandora's Kharis members contributed to was completed successfully! The Grand Theatre of Cassope is located in the ruined hill northwest of cassope. It was constructed in the 3rd century BC and had a capacity of about 2,500 people. According to some authors it could accommodate 6,000 people. It was the largest of a total of two theaters that existed in the city. The other, called the Conservatory of distinction, could seat 300 to 500 people. The large theater is now largely destroyed due to natural decay and is nearly inaccessible. This is about to change, though.

Diazoma, a citizens’ group that works to protect and promote Greece’s ancient monuments, came up with a proposal to include the Cassope theatre in the act4greece program – an idea that received the green light from National Bank. The target was set at 80,000 euros. The goal was exceeded by $ 500,-. I'll keep you updated about the progress!