EU, Regional Funds to Go Towards Further Amphipolis Site Works

A combined total of 2.5 million euros has been allocated by regional authorities for the continuation of excavation and restoration works at the ancient Amphipolis site in northern Greece, Central Macedonia Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas announced during a recent meeting in Thessaloniki with Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou.

Central Macedonia Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou.

“It is our intention to continue the excavation works, to develop the site so that this very great monument can be visited. Our cooperation with the Central Macedonia Region is important because it enables us to restart the excavation, support and development works in the area,” said Koniordou, without referring to a timeframe.

Tzitzikostas added that 1 million euros came from cross-border programs while 1.5 million euros from National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) funds.

“It is very important that we have the support of the Central Macedonia Region but also that Amphipolis has been selected to receive Interreg funds so that work can continue. In this sense, we believe new impetus is being given to the Amphipolis project,” Koniordou said.

Besides being the largest tomb discovered in the country, the Amphipolis site produced among others sculptures of sphinxes and caryatids, mosaics and coins depicting Alexander the Great… but also scientific and political controversy as to actual historic timeframe of the burial ground.