Greek Culture Ministry to Restore Damaged UNESCO-listed Monastery of Hosios Loukas

Hosios Loukas Monastery. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

The Greek Culture Ministry is actively pursuing the restoration of the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Hosios Loukas in Viotia, central Greece, which was severely damaged by a wildfire in August.

A historic walled monastery near the town of Distomo in Viotia, Hosios Loukas was founded in the mid-10th century and considered one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art. The monastery has been listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since 1990.

According to an announcement by the Culture Ministry, the fire in August mainly damaged the section that had housed the late superior Ioasaf – a 19th-century structure located in the southeast wing of the monastery. Due to the damages caused by the fire, a restoration study for the southeastern wing that was already in process for the past year was called to be reevaluated.

Hosios Loukas Monastery. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

The Voiotia Ephorate of Antiquities has now initiated cleanup operations within the damaged southeastern wing of the monastery.

Moreover, the ministry’s Directorate for Restoring Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments is developing plans to reinforce the two-story building’s roof.

At the same time, the ephorate is in the process of assessing the land’s stability and slope and also in the final stages of completing a lightning protection study for the monastery under the guidance of the Central Archaeological Council.

Hosios Loukas monastery. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

Furthermore, in a parallel effort aimed at preventing future disasters, a study to install modern fire detection and extinguishing systems is near completion.

The restoration project, vital for preserving the monastery’s UNESCO World Heritage status, is being carried out through a memorandum of cooperation between the ministries of Culture and Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, with assistance from the Viotia Ephorate of Antiquities, the central services of the culture ministry and the Fire Service Headquarters.

The culture ministry also announced that measures will be taken to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities without altering the landscape. To achieve this, mechanical means will be employed and slight modifications will be made to the cobblestone path to ensure wheelchair accessibility.