Minister On Museums And Archaeological Sites

“We have discovered that out of 170 Greek sites, 110 of them do not provide even basic amenities,” Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos said to the Greek press last month.

The culture and tourism minister said that already a revamp scheme has begun and over the next two years all sites should provide basic needs while 10 sites would be considered first class sites.

The revamp scheme includes educational programs, bilingual pamphlets and pamphlets in Braille for the visually impaired.

Mr. Geroulanos explained last month, in a separate interview, the ministry’s new policy in regards to the staffing of the country’s museums and archaeological sites.

He told the press staff hiring’s were in progress thanks to transfers from state organizations, such as the Greek Railways (OSE), and that museums and sites would be open in accordance to the summer time schedule (8:00am-7:00pm).

Until May many of Greece’s museums were still operating on the wintertime schedule due to staff shortages (8:30am-3:00pm).

In June, staff shortages brought the National Archaeological Museum in the spotlight as it was disclosed that on Sundays only eight of the 64 halls of the museum were open to the public. Meanwhile, tourists were paying the full ticket price.