The National Strategy for the Protection of Cultural Heritage from the Impacts of Climate Change was recently presented by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni at the auditorium of the Acropolis Museum. “This is the first systematic effort to integrate the climate dimension into the management, protection, and promotion of cultural heritage in Greece, and one of the few internationally that incorporates and synthesizes updated and reliable guidelines,” emphasized Lina Mendoni, referring to the project, which integrates international standards from the UN and the EU (Cover photo: The archaeological site of Delos, Source: Ministry of Culture).

The National Strategy was developed within the framework of the project “Protection of Iconic Sites and Monuments of Cultural Heritage from Climate Change,” funded with €22,000,000 from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This project forms part of the national effort to address the impacts of climate change in the cultural sector and marks a significant step toward strengthening the resilience of the country’s cultural heritage.

The National Strategy was designed by the Ministry of Culture, through the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the National Hellenic Research Foundation, having carried out detailed climate-risk assessments examining threats such as wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, landslides, and coastal erosion. Its development and implementation were carried out in close cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, ensuring a holistic and coordinated approach to safeguarding cultural heritage against the impacts of climate change.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr, https://www.culture.gov.gr)

Key elements of the strategy include:

• Climate risk assessment across the country, considering exposure, vulnerability, and hazard levels
• Preventive infrastructure projects, including fire protection, flood control, and landslide mitigation at vulnerable archaeological sites
• Digital tools and platforms for evaluating risks and selecting tailored adaptation plans.
• Monitoring and evaluation systems aligned with international indicators set at COP30 (2025) in Belém, Brazil
• Training programs for Ministry of Culture staff on climate adaptation measures
• International collaboration with the UN, UNESCO, and EU initiatives to integrate cultural heritage into global climate action

 (Source: https://www.tovima.com/culture/greece-unveils-plan-to-protect-monuments-from-climate-change/ )

More specifically, the National Strategy seeks to promote international collaboration, which includes, among other initiatives:

• Establishing a framework for collaboration with 54 additional United Nations Member States (Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action) to integrate cultural heritage into the priorities of the UNFCCC (adaptation and mitigation)
• Maintaining systematic cooperation with UNESCO and other international organizations
• Participating in the European Union Working Group on enhancing the resilience of cultural heritage to the impacts of climate change
• Creating a dedicated program within the Forum of Ancient Civilizations and drafting a memorandum of cooperation with all member states, as well as establishing a network of contact points within the Forum to ensure coordination and coherence of activities in the field of cultural heritage protection from climate change
• Participating in national and international research initiatives

(Source: https://www.culture.gov.gr)

Firefighting systems at the archaeological site of Mystras. Within the framework of the project, infrastructure and risk management interventions were also implemented, such as the installation of fire protection systems in Philippi and Mystras, flood protection works in Dion and Malia, as well as measures to mitigate landslides and rockfalls in Delphi. These interventions clearly reflect the transition from scientific knowledge and strategic planning to the implementation of concrete protection policies

Minister Lina Mendoni stressed, among others, that “the Ministry of Culture, since 2019, has been implementing a comprehensive program for the identification and assessment of climate risks, as well as for prevention and resilience-building, in alignment with international standards and in harmony with the broader National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Our aim is for it to serve as a reference framework for all relevant state institutions in safeguarding monuments and archaeological sites, while promoting the integration of cultural heritage management with climate resiliency. The National Strategy follows a long-term plan with a horizon extending to 2050, including intermediate targets every five years. It provides for adaptation plans for 40 archaeological sites by 2030 and makes use of modern technologies and planning tools.

“The National Strategy is structured around 4 pillars of action: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Prevention, and Response. These pillars do not operate in isolation, but in an interconnected and functionally sequential manner. They constitute a unified risk management cycle: they begin with the scientific understanding of threats, move on to systematic monitoring, organize prevention, and culminate in targeted field interventions. This is a structure that allows the Strategy to be translated into practical public policy,” added L. Mendoni. “It is part of a broader, dynamically evolving international, European, and national institutional framework, which in recent years has been gradually shaping a new approach to environmental governance and climate policy”.

Readiness drill at Mystras

The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannis, stated that “the protection of monuments can no longer be limited to restoration after damage, but must be based on prevention, preparedness, and systematic planning.” He also referred, among others, to the cooperation developed in recent years between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, which was established with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in 2021 and further strengthened in subsequent years through more targeted actions, particularly in addressing the risk of wildfires. He also referred to the establishment of a special Fire Protection Regulation for archaeological sites and monuments, being developed jointly by the two ministries. This regulation provides for specific preventive measures, such as the systematic management of vegetation, improved access for firefighting forces, the provision of safe evacuation routes for visitors and staff, and the strengthening of preparedness procedures in emergency situations.

At the Minoan Palace of Malia in northern Crete, an integrated drainage network and upgraded protective canopies help safeguard the archaeological site from rainfall and erosion

The National Strategy for the Protection of Cultural Heritage from the Impacts of Climate Change represents the first comprehensive national effort to assess climate risk and design adaptation measures for the protection of cultural heritage. The methodology developed is based on a multidimensional approach to climate risk assessment, with a pilot application in 19 archaeological sites across the country. It serves as a reference framework for all relevant institutional and administrative levels—the Ministry of Culture, particularly the Ephorates of Antiquities, the competent ministries, regional and local authorities, as well as academic and research institutions and local communities—strengthening the connection between cultural heritage management and climate resilience. At the same time, it constitutes a dynamic strategic planning tool that can be adapted to new scientific data, updated climate projections, and evolving needs for the protection and management of cultural heritage.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr, https://www.culture.gov.gr)

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The strategic principles and key priorities of the Greek government’s cultural policy were presented by Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, speaking at the Center for Hellenic Studies at Harvard University. The fundamental principles of preserving, protecting, and promoting Greece’s heritage, as well as its contemporary artistic creation, along with recognising and highlighting culture as a national developmental asset and a cornerstone of the country’s intellectual, economic, and social revitalisation, progress, and prosperity, were thoroughly outlined by Mendoni in her address to a large audience attending her lecture. (Cover photo: Hellenic Heritage: the official Gateway to museums and cultural sites, offering guides, tickets, stories, curated experiences, and more)

Lina Mendoni noted that “our heritage must be protected, but not frozen in time. Museums, monuments, and archaeological sites are living parts of society, connected to communities, attracting visitors, and generating cultural, educational, and economic activity. When integrated into everyday life, heritage thrives, creating stronger incentives for its protection and greater social impact.” Regarding cultural heritage and contemporary creation, a key parameter, she added, is that they contribute to economic development, generate income and jobs, attract investment, and strengthen tourism, with which they are closely linked.“ Monuments and museums are not spaces of consumption. They are landmarks embedded in collective memory and identity. They unite generations, foster pride and social cohesion, and project the image of a place beyond national borders,” she emphasised.

(Source: Ministry of Culture, Athens-Macedonian News Agency)

The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni in her speech at the Center for Hellenic Studies at Harvard University (Source: Ministry of Culture). Greece’s cultural policy includes main initiatives such as the Cultural Charter for all regions, major restoration and digital transformation projects, expanded cultural tourism, new digital platforms, and strengthened efforts against illegal antiquities trafficking and for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures.

“Cultural Charter of Development and Prosperity” for the 13 Regions of Greece: Vision for Growth and Prosperity

Since 2019, the Greek government has pursued a major shift in cultural management so that Culture serves both its social and developmental role. “The past six years,” the Minister of Culture noted, “we have worked systematically toward implementing a new, flexible, and dynamic model, redefining both the goals and the methods. This approach is grounded in scientific knowledge, data analysis, coherent planning, and realistic programming. It aims for multiplier effects and economies of scale, strengthening innovation, improving effectiveness, and ensuring the efficient use of funding and resources”.

Hellenic Heritage is the new official platform of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and ODAP (Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development) – a contemporary hub that brings the essence of Greek culture. Available from September 5, 2025, hh.gr serves as the official guide to more than 350 archaeological sites, monuments and museums. Designed from the visitor’s perspective, it offers essential information, integrates all Hellenic Heritage services—Tickets, Experiences and Shop—and supports future digital innovations. With a strong focus on accessibility and inclusivity, hh.gr uses advanced storytelling tools to bring history to life. This launch marks a major milestone in ODAP’s digital strategy, blending tradition with modern technology.

A key initiative is the “Cultural Charter of Development and Prosperity”, designed for all 13 Regions of Greece with a planning horizon to 2030. The Charter serves as an active roadmap tailored to each region and includes major infrastructure projects, cultural funding schemes, and institutional reforms. It places equal emphasis on safeguarding Greece’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage—from ancient monuments and historic sites to modern art and living traditions—and on supporting the cultural expressions that shape Greece’s identity today.

The Charter seeks to transform culture into a strategic asset for recovery, sustainable development and social cohesion—not only in major cities but across every region of the country. It reflects a broader global and European shift toward viewing culture and creativity as engines of innovation, economic vitality and community resilience. By combining infrastructure, regulatory modernization, digital innovation, and active support for contemporary creation, the Charter builds a strong, future-oriented cultural ecosystem that delivers long-term value for Greece and its citizens.

 “The strengthening of cultural tourism is a key objective of the Ministry of Culture and Sports for the Region of Thessaly, as the area is an emerging tourist destination,” emphasized the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, during the presentation of the Thessaly Development Program, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Larissa, in February, 2023 (Photo above: From the Prime Minister’s visit to the Ancient Theater of Larissa). The Ministry of Culture, in close collaboration with the Region of Thessaly, is implementing a coherent plan of projects worth 100 million euros, using EU funds and national resourcesand focusing on the protection and restoration of monuments and archaeological sites, as well as the creation of modern museum and cultural infrastructure. Key cultural initiatives include strategic plans to integrate major archaeological sites, such as ancient Demetrias and Byzantine Anchialos, into urban areas. The Ministry created visitable underwater sites in Alonnisos and Western Pagasetic Gulf, including the renowned Peristera shipwreck, recently listed among National Geographic’s top 50 diving destinations. Projects also include: the Diachronic Museum in Trikala; the Integrated Management Plan for Meteora, balancing tourism and monastic life; the restoration of theaters in Phthiotic Thebes, Larissa, and Demetrias; cultural routes through Pelion and Skiathos; and improved access to Theopetra Cave and the Neolithic settlement at Dimini, strengthening Thessaly’s cultural tourism (Source: Ministry of Culture)

A core element of the Charter is its recognition of culture as a lever for regional development, cultural tourism, and job creation. By embedding culture into local and regional economies, the plan aims to strengthen cultural and creative industries, boost visitor flows, generate employment across related sectors, and address long-standing regional inequalities. It also places strong focus on inclusion and equal access, ensuring that cultural infrastructure, services, and experiences are accessible to people with disabilities and responsive to the needs of both urban and rural communities.

Using EU funds (NSRF, RRF) and national resources, the Ministry is carrying out the largest cultural investment program in Greece’s history: over 850 projects with a total budget exceeding €1.3 billion. Completed and ongoing works include the restoration of monuments, conservation of heritage, museum upgrades - since 2019, 28 new or fully restored museums have already opened to the public, with another 28 planned for completion by 2028 - and construction of new cultural infrastructures. These projects support local economies, strengthen social cohesion, promote balanced regional development, and provide thousands of jobs.

In September, 2025, the Ministry of Culture delivered fully restored Christian monuments in the town of Veria: the historic Churches of Saint Anna (upper photos, Guided tour of Minister, LIna Mendoni) and Christ Pantocrator (lower photo). In Imathia (Region of Central Macedonia), from 2019 to today, the Ministry of Culture has completed and is implementing cultural projects amounting to more than 25 million euros, within the framework of its integrated planning. Among other initiatives, these include the Polycentric Museum of Aigai, the restored Palace of Philip II at Aigai, the Virtual Museum ‘Alexander the Great: From Aigai to the Oikoumene,’ the outdoor permanent exhibition at the Archaeological Museum of Veria, the exhibition of the Treasury Hall at the Holy Monastery of Dovra, the conservation and showcasing of the Byzantine Acropolis of Veria, and the conservation and restoration of Christian and Ottoman monuments, also in Veria (Source: Ministry of Culture)

The Virtual Museum “Alexander the Great: From Aigai to the Oikoumene”

Digital innovation in the service of Culture

Digital transformation is another cornerstone of the Charter, modernizing how cultural resources are managed, documented, and presented to the public. Lina Mendoni highlighted the Ministry of Culture’s investment in digital technologies and tools to enhance the management of Greece’s cultural heritage. The Ministry has implemented large-scale projects through the “National Archive of Monuments”, using virtual and augmented reality, collaborations with tech companies like Microsoft and Google, and a strategy to integrate Artificial Intelligence. Key goals include accelerating digitization, improving conservation, preventing illicit trafficking, providing personalized cultural experiences, supporting research with big data, and ensuring ethical standards for transparency and data protection.

The Portal of Digital Collections of Movable Monuments of the Ministry of Culture(National Archive of Monuments) includes objects – movable monuments that primarily originate from the collections of the Museums of the Ministry of Culture and the broader Public Sector. The portal is being gradually updated and provides access to approximately 680,000 registered entries through the Integrated Information System (IIS) of the Ministry of Culture.

The Archaeological Cadastre, also available online, records and documents Greece's immovable monuments, archaeological sites, historical sites, and their protection zones. Today, the Archaeological Cadastre Portal contains descriptive (archaeological, and administrative) and geospatial data for more than 21,500 monuments, approximately 3,400 archaeological sites and historical sites, 844 protection zones and 220 museums.

A huge nationwide digital transformation —more than 27.3 million euros investment — has modernised 107 museums and archaeological sites aiming to more inclusive access, better management, enriched visitor experience, and bridging heritage with digital modernity. This includes unified ticketing & access-control, a “Hellenic Heritage Web App”, digital signage, QR codes, interactive tours in multiple languages (including Greek Sign Language), and AR/VR experiences at flagship sites (e.g. Sounion, Delos, Ancient Agora of Athens, Ancient Olympia, Rotunda of Thessaloniki).

The past comes alive before your eyes!  We tried the innovative #AugmentedReality (AR) application on hh.gr — and the result? Absolutely enchanting! At the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio, AR technology transported us back in time, recreating the site in its original grandeur. An immersive experience that blends history, technology and emotion. (Source: ODAP,  Hellenic Heritage, the official Gateway to museums and cultural sites)

A special mention was also made of the Ministry of Culture’s program for the restoration and adaptive reuse of the former royal estate at Tatoi. Beyond the built environment, the extensive landscaping will transform the site into accessible green spaces for recreation and outdoor activities, promoting sustainable tourism and social engagement. The project preserves the estate’s historical significance while creating a modern destination that integrates culture, nature, and leisure.

The Tatoi Collections  of the former Royal Estate, was recently registered online. It is the largest collection of its kind in Greece, dedicated to fine and applied arts and to Greek history, comprised of more than 70.000 objects that were recorded and documented by the Ministry of Culture at the former royal estate of Tatoi.

Cultural routes

In 2025, Greece launched a major national initiative to create a network of thematic cultural-heritage routes across the country, supported by approximately €50 million in EU Recovery and Resilience funding. This ambitious plan aims to highlight the depth and diversity of Greek history by organizing cultural destinations into coherent, story-driven itineraries that connect different regions and historical periods. The overarching goal of the project is to create meaningful connections between archaeological sites, monuments and local communities, turning them into unified cultural experiences. These cultural-heritage routes aim to offer visitors deeper, more immersive journeys through Greece’s layered past, while generating long-term benefits for the regions they traverse.

 “Monumental Works of Cyclopes and Men”

Five thematic routes have already been defined, each representing a distinct era and cultural narrative—from the Mycenaean world to Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. These include themes such as “Monumental Works of Cyclopes and Men”, showcasing Mycenaean engineering and civilization; “In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul”, following sites linked to early Christianity; the “Cultural Egnatia Road”, tracing the ancient artery that shaped trade and connectivity across the Balkans; and the “Castle Network: From Byzantium to Ottoman Rule”, highlighting fortifications that tell the story of shifting empires and cultural influences. (Source: Ministry of Culture)

 “In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul”

The protection of Greek cultural heritage from illegal trafficking

Mendoni, speaking at Harvard University, also stressed the ministry’s strategic objective: the protection of Greek cultural heritage from illegal trafficking, which is not merely a form of criminal activity but a complex phenomenon linked to organised crime, resulting in the loss, fragmentation, and often irreversible destruction of the historical and cultural memory of nations. The ministry’s strategy focuses on prevention, international cooperation, and the systematic repatriation of antiquities from foreign museums and private collections.

Gallery of the Acropolis Museum in Athens © Acropolis Museum

“This commitment applies even more strongly to Greece’s long-standing request for the return and reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, which have been kept at the British Museum for more than 200 years. The Greek request for the Sculptures began even before the modern Greek state was officially founded. Over the last six years, however, the landscape has changed significantly. Globally, governments, museums, and civil society increasingly recognise the need to correct historical injustices in the handling of cultural heritage. Our pressure on the UK government and the British Museum’s administration is steadily increasing,” she stressed.

(Source: Ministry of Culture, Athens-Macedonian News Agency)

I.A.

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Hadrian's Aqueduct in Athens is the only Roman aqueduct of this type and size that has been constructed in Europe and that still carries water. This monumental technical construction of the ancient world does not only have great cultural value, but it can also be utilized to reduce the city's environmental footprint.

The Greek government is supporting a multi-dimensional plan to put this ancient aqueduct back into use, in order both to cover current needs for irrigation water, and to develop new places of cultural and environmental interest. The restoration of Hadrian's aqueduct is part of the sustainable development strategy of the Water Supply and Sanitation Agency of Athens (EYDAP), undertaken in cooperation the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Attica region and the municipalities concerned.

The History of Hadrian´s Aqueduct

Hadrian's Aqueduct is a marvel of engineering:  its construction begun in 125 AD, it was completed in 140 AD, and it remained the main water supply for the wider region for centuries, operating without any change until the time of the Ottoman Occupation, in 1456. The aqueduct was designed through drilling 465 water-wells along the length of its alignment design; the running waters came from extracting water though the underground aquifers as well as from water streams that the aqueduct came across.

The underground tunnels of the ancient aqueduct start at the top of Mount Parnitha, in the north of Athens, and end up in the upscale district of Kolonaki, at the heart of the Greek capital, covering a distance of approximately 25 kilometers. The aqueduct connects various suburbs in Attica, running under seven municipalities: Acharnes, Metamorfosi, Heraklion, Marousi, Halandri, Pilothei-Psychiko and Athens and still proving water that is suitable for irrigation and other non-drinking uses.

Due to the inclination, water flows naturally inside the aqueduct’s underground tunnel (of 1,2m -1,6m height and 0,8m width). The aqueduct’s reservoir was abandoned during the Ottoman Empire’s occupation, causing most residents to become reliant on wells. Restoration of the aqueduct began in 1847, and the aqueduct was cleaned and repaired at various times between 1870 and 1932 – when parts of it were included in the new water supply network of Athens that the Ulen water company constructed. In 1929 with the completion of the Marathon Dam, the Hadrian aqueduct ceased to be the main provider of water for the city of Athens, although it continued to work as a supplementary source for many years.

Today, Hadrian's Aqueduct is destroyed in several places due to its disrepair and the development of the city above it (engineering works related to the construction of the metro, Olympic Games, etc.). To date, 390 water-wells of the original 456 wells of aqueduct have been located; 228 of them are visible and 174 can be found in public spaces.

Restoring the Hadrian Aqueduct

In 2018, engineers and scientists from EYDAP (public Water Supply and Sanitation Agency of Athens) and the National Technical University of Athens, have started exploring Hadrian’s Aqueduct in order to estimate the quantity and the quality water supply of the network, so that it can be used for the irrigation of public land in the city.

In 2021 EYDAP announced that, with the aim of highlighting the aqueduct as a monument and reutilizing it as a water supply source, it is providing the resources for the strategic planning of the project of the restoration of the Hadrian Aqueduct.

The restoration project aims to preserve the monument; use its underground waters in local irrigation; green the areas through which it passes in order to reduce the average temperature of Athens, and to enhance its sustainability by connecting it to local cultural, educational and economic activities.  The development of the aqueduct is carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Attica region and the seven municipalities concerned. “The underground water route from Parnitha to the center of Athens can evolve into conduit for development, greening and more oxygen for all the municipalities through which it passes. EYDAP is ready to offer everything needed for the success of the joint effort”, according to a statement by Harry Sachinis, the CEO of EYDAP.

So far, EYDAP, in cooperation with the Municipality of Halandri and 6 other partners, participates in the project CULTURAL H.ID.RA.N.T. The project, implemented through the European program Urban Innovative Actions and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, focuses on the utilization of the non-drinking water of Hadrian's Aqueduct for the Municipality of Halandri, as well as highlighting the Aqueduct as a monument of great cultural value.

The project is running since 2020; it is a particularly innovative urban regeneration project, based on the principles of sustainability and rational water management. Cultural H.ID.RA.N.T.  raises heritage awareness through the re-exploitation of water from the Hadrian Aqueduct, the regeneration of Hadrian routes and the transformation of urban spots into Hadrian-watered “urban gardens”. As a result, water becomes a kind of cultural heritage ambassador, while the same time, cultural heritage re-initiates sustainable water use.

Cultural H.ID.RA.N.T gained worldwide acclaim as the Municipality of Halandri won the first prize for it in the 6th International Competition of Urban Innovation of Guangzhou, in the category "Sustainable Management of Cultural Heritage”. The awards were presented on Thursday, December 7 2023, as part of the Global Mayors Forum.  The project and the Municipality of Halandri had qualified for the final among 274 nominations from 193 municipalities in 54 countries, as one of the leading examples of urban innovation.

I.L., based on the article L’aqueduc d’Hadrien d’Athènes | Un rare monument romain, voire une ressource en eau précieuse by sister publication Grèce Hebdo and information from EYDAP, CULTURAL H.ID.RA.N.T. and the Municipality of Halandri.

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