The works of the structural restoration of the burial monument and the construction of a shelter at the Kasta Tomb are proceeding after the unanimous positive opinion of the Central Archaeological Council regarding the static study and the electromechanical study of the protective shelter.

After the approval of the preliminary architectural study, the implementation study of the shelter’s construction has been completed and so its auctioning can be initiated in the framework of the Operational Programme of Central Macedonia-NSRF 2014-2020 “Consolidation, Conservation, Restoration and Enhancement of the Kasta Tomb Monument in Amphipolis, Serres”.

As Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni pointed out, the aim of these works is to make the monument accessible το special groups of visitors within the current year. “Our priority is to ensure the protection of the monument and the safe access of visitors. With regard to the problems that affected the restoration works of the geometry of the Tomb after the recent weather phenomena, which were of unprecedented intensity, these are being tackled by the competent departments of the Ministry of Culture and Sports”, the Minister said.

According to the approved study, the proposed shelter of Room 1 of the Kasta Tomb is aiming at:

– The permanent protection against moisture and weather conditions of the room, in which the portico and the roof are not preserved. It should be noted that the walls are covered with sensitive plaster and colors, and that the sculptures of the Sphinxes which are also in the room must also be protected.

– Contributing to the stability of temperature and humidity conditions with the electromechanical installation for the whole burial monument, including the lighting and the possibility of air conditioning of the rooms.

The architectural proposal for the construction of the shelter is based on the geometry and the dimensions of the ancient portico, featuring an abstract architectural design and aiming at the harmonic integration of the shelter at the site, regarding the monumental complex, so that it does not repeat stylistic elements of the ancient shell, and at the same time serving the functional needs of the monument, such as its accessibility and its sighting by the visitor.

To access the entrance of the burial monument, a metal staircase and a small elevator for PWD visitors, as well as for the transfer of sensitive marble objects from and to the interior of the monument will be constructed.

The electromechanical installation includes the design of a functional lighting of the protective shelter, in which the circulation within the rooms and the safety of the visitors were considered.