Ancient Messene to Get New Archaeological Museum

The Greek Culture Ministry announced recently that a new archaeological museum was in the pipeline to host finds discovered at Ancient Messene in the Peloponnese.

In this direction, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Peloponnese Regional Governor Panagiotis Nikas and Messene Mayor Giorgos Athanasopoulos signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to kick start necessary procedures.

First in line are a series of studies budgeted at 1 million euros to be funded by the culture ministry and the Peloponnese Region as part of cultural development activities.

The establishment of the museum is aimed at contributing to the promotion of the area’s archaeological finds and treasures and stimulating additional archaeological research while further upgrading the area as a cultural tourism destination. Minister and locals also hope it will contribute to the sustainable development and promotion of the wider region’s cultural product.

Ancient Messene. Photo © GTP / Konstantinos Ntougkas

“This is an important time not only for Ancient Messene and Messinia but for the whole of Greece as the major archaeological site of Ancient Messene will soon acquire a new museum that will match its treasures,” said Mendoni.

The minister went on to add that the former museum “was and remains valuable. Today, however, Ancient Messene is entitled to a new modern museum which will showcase the unique riches excavated there; a museum that will teach the history and archeology of the area”.

During her visit to Messinia, Mendoni held on-the-spot inspections of archaeological sites and monuments that are either being restored or need restoration. In this direction, Mendoni said upgrade or restoration works budgeted at 15 million euros were currently underway in Messinia.