BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 20. The Ministry of
Culture of Greece has announced that restoration and enhancement
works at the Kasta Tumulus in Amphipolis are moving forward, with a
total project budget exceeding 10 million euros, Trend reports.
The project is co-funded by the Regional Operational Program of
Central Macedonia (ESPA 2021–2027) and national resources of the
Ministry of Culture.
The initiative includes visitor pathways, reception and service
facilities, and the construction of a museum and exhibition
hall.
The studies—architectural, structural, electromechanical,
museological, and museographic—have been fully completed, enabling
work to continue under the supervision of the Ministry’s
restoration and museum directorates, along with the Ephorate of
Antiquities of Serres.
A parallel project is already underway to stabilize the
peribolos (marble enclosure) of the burial monument.
“The Kasta Tumulus is of great historical and archaeological
significance and requires a holistic approach—tumulus, circular
enclosure, and monumental tomb—to ensure full protection and
accessibility. The exhibition hall will both serve visitors’ needs
and regulate access, since the interior space allows only small
groups. Our goal is to combine preservation with a complete visitor
experience that includes archaeological finds, digital
applications, and modern facilities,” Minister of Culture Lina
Mendoni emphasized the emblematic importance of the Kasta
Tumulus.
The visitor infrastructure includes accessible routes for all,
including people with disabilities, viewing platforms, parking
areas, and an exhibition hall showcasing significant artifacts such
as the marble door of the tomb chamber and fragments of the
caryatids.
The exhibition will be structured in three parts: archaeological
finds, digital interaction with the monument, and an open gallery
with direct views of the tumulus and its original marble
enclosure.
Designed with bioclimatic principles, the new museum building
will be largely subterranean, blending with the natural landscape
while minimizing environmental impact.
The project aims not only to protect and highlight the monument
but also to strengthen cultural tourism in Amphipolis and the wider
region.
Minister Mendoni also thanked former Regional Governor and
current EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Regional Governor
Athina Aidona, and the Regional Authority of Central Macedonia for
their continued support and cooperation.