Amphipolis Tomb Works High on Culture Ministry’s Priority List

The Greek Culture Ministry is speeding up works at the Amphipolis tomb in order for the site to be able to initially welcome specific groups of audiences (5-6 visitors per group) by the beginning of 2022.

Located in Central Macedonia, northern Greece, Amphipolis is where the largest ancient Macedonian tomb was discovered in 2014.

During a recent visit to the site by Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and Central Macedonia Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas, it was announced that Greece’s Central Archaeological Council (KAS) had approved the study on the restoration of the burial monument.

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According to Minister Mendoni, following the study’s approval, the first phase of the tomb’s restoration may even be completed six months earlier than planned – in June 2021, instead of 2022.

“Works will continue on schedule after the completion of the first phase until the end of the planning period in 2023,” she said.

When asked when the monument will be open to the general public, the culture minister refrained from answering, underlining that there is still much to be done at a scientific level.

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“Since the study has been approved, the purpose of our visit was to see what steps need to be taken next, what the timeframe of the works will be and when we will have measurable results,” the minister said.

Works at the site also include the transfer of the Amphipolis Lion to the tomb.

“This will happen in due time, once the relevant studies for its transport are completed and approved,” the minister said.

On his part, Central Macedonia Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas announced that a meeting will be held in early January with all relavant parties in order to schedule the launch of necessary infrastructure projects in the area, such as flood protection and its connection to the rest of the road network.

In 2014, the Amphipolis tomb was listed among the Top 10 discoveries for that year by Archaeology, a publication of the Archaeological Institute of America.