Greece to Index and Protect Flora & Fauna at 20 Archaeological Sites

Ancient Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus. Photo © GTP

The Greek culture and environment ministries announced recently that actions had been taken as part of an agreement to record for preservation purposes the biodiversity of 20 archaeological sites.

In this direction, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Environment Minister Kostas Skrekas and Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (NECCA) Managing Director Kostas Triantis signed a Cultural Development Program Agreement which foresees among others recording and indexing flora and fauna at 20 archaeological sites across Greece for a period of 18 months.

The project has been allocated a budget of 258,500 euros.

The sites to be covered under the agreement are: the Acropolis – Ancient Agora and Hills; Ancient Epidaurus; Olympia; Philippi; Ancient Messina, Aptera – Chania; Mon Repos on Corfu; the theaters of Dodoni and Nikopolis; Meteora; Agios Achillios – Prespes National Park; the old town of Ioannina, its islet and lake; Acrocorinth, Gramvousa-Balos – Crete; Mystras; Delos island; Cape Sounio; Vravrona; Delphi; and Phaistos – Crete.

“Greece’s archaeological sites boast a uniquely high level of biodiversity, which has over the centuries been linked with the history of destinations, rituals, and mythology. The protection of archaeological sites has contributed to the preservation of unique, in many cases, species of flora and fauna,” said Mendoni.

“Taking into account the possible risks from the consequences of the climate crisis, we are proceeding with a program that will systematically record and indexing this rare wealth.”

On his part, Skrekas referred to the importance of the agreement, adding that it was “our responsibility to highlight the country’s cultural heritage and the natural environment that surrounds it”.