The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni performed, in Rhodes, the opening of the archaeological site of the Hellenistic Neorians, the Medieval Gardens of the Palace of the Great Master, as well as the new outdoor sculpture that is organically part of the "Pervola", an area of about twenty acres, in the heart of the Medieval City, in direct contact with the Palace.
The foundations for the implementation of the titanian technical and scientific work were laid at the autopsy of Lena Mendoni, on November 5, 2021, when behind a closed door a forgotten, for 75 years, archaeological site was revealed.
The first visitor of Pervola was Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was guided by the Minister of Culture in the iconic archaeological site, in which the long historical diachronicity of Rhodes and its central importance is reflected, as a passage for the maritime commercial relations of the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, it highlights its unique cultural reserve, in the most scientific way, becoming a key pole of development and prosperity for the island.
In the opening speech Lena Mendoni presented the Ministry of Culture's strategy for the restoration and promotion of Rhodes' cultural reserve. "It is with great pleasure," he said, "we find ourselves today, here, in the heart of the Medieval City - UNESCO World Heritage Site - in order to give to the citizens and visitors of Rhodes, restored and radically upgraded another cultural space, which condenses the history of Rhodes during the long historical period. It highlights its timeless identity and reconnects the city with an extremely important part of its past. It is a work that transforms an area of about twenty acres in the Medieval City into an open, visited, timeless museum.
A unique monumental ensemble, in which the Hellenistic and Roman antiquities, the remains of Hippotocracy, the monuments of the Ottoman period and the elements of the city's modern and modern history coexist. Today is another milestone in a series of important interventions implemented by the Ministry of Culture throughout the country. These days, dedicated to the Dodecanese, add another series of projects that strengthen the cultural map of our islands. The importance of the Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis is thus demonstrated once again in practice. Because Culture is not a static concept, limited to preserving the past. It is a critical strategic resource and potential value multiplier for economy and society.".
The Dodecanese have a special place in the culture ministry's strategy. "Every island," Lina Mendoni said, "tells a different aspect of the history of the Aegean and Mediterranean. The protection and promotion of this wealth is not our responsibility only to the past. It is an investment in the future of the islands and their people. In the context of this policy, more than 30 projects are currently being implemented in the Dodecanese, whose total budget exceeds EUR 60,000,000, drawn from every available financial instrument, the Recovery Fund, the Regional Operational Programme "South Aegean" and national resources of the Ministry of Culture. In this way a coherent grid of investments is formed, covering both large islands and smaller and more remote island societies.".
It is noted that the Ministry of Culture, in Kos, completed a particularly important programme of restoration and promotion of the monuments affected by the 2017 earthquake, for which there had been no provision until 2019.
Pervola, had remained for at least 75 years, undisclosed, unvisible for decades, operating as a repository of thousands of finds from the excavations of the Rhodes Antiquities Agency on the island, and even as a carpenterry, machine shop, maintenance workshop, and garage for active and damaged vehicles and heavy machinery. The emergence of this monumental ensemble and its functional connection to the gardens of the Great Master Palace, extending to different platforms, creating an open-air time museum, was a visionary goal for the Ministry of Culture.
"In our autopsy," said the Minister, "in 2021, we examined the context for the formation and promotion of this site and went on to develop a comprehensive strategic plan so that the building remains of the Hellenistic Youths could be linked to the medieval gardens of Kastello, creating a single timeless historical monumental core. In this area are preserved parts of the youth of the war port of Hellenistic Rhodes, the monumental Roman road Cardo, with its arcades and shops, the imposing Tetrapylo, the mint of the Order of the Knights of St. John, remains of Ottoman times and Italian rule. It is essentially a miniature of the history of Rhodes".
For the complete protection of Pervola, more than 4,000 stone finds were identified, over 8,500 architectural and sculpted members were recorded and nearly 18,000 objects were moved. At the same time, 5,000 square meters were released to develop a multi-thematic outdoor exhibition and sculpture, with 700 exhibits, while the Governor's historic Gardens were also revived. After the completion of the work, the area of twenty acres has turned into an open, visited, timeless museum, harmoniously linking the Hellenistic, Roman, medieval and Ottoman history of the city.
In the Medieval City, Lena Mendoni noted, we implemented and implemented thirteen projects with a total budget of more than 35,000,000 euros. Works, such as the restoration of Neoclassical School and the promotion of the archaeological site environment, the formation of the open-air museum in Milos, the medieval windmills and successive historical phases of the city's commercial port, the promotion of sea fortifications from the Molos of Naillac to the Milos of Milos- the first image facing the thousands of visitors arriving at the port of Rhodes- the emergence of the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos, the restored Hasan Bey Mansion, the mosque Recep Pasa and Murat Reis cemetery. Along with Pervola's work they have formed the largest cultural investment programme that has been implemented in Rhodes in recent decades and which transforms the cultural figure of the island as a whole.".
The Ministry of Culture, with a firm commitment to the strategic principle of universal accessibility and culture, without exclusion, created in the archaeological site of Pervola, walkways for wheelchairs, installing riders for free access to all platforms. For people with visual problems a tangible model was created to form an integrated perception of the space. New interpretative material was also developed for the site which was equipped with modern infrastructure.
"By rendering", Lina Mendoni said, "to Rodites and to the thousands of visitors of the island the new archaeological site, which also serves as a place of recreation and walk, confirms our commitment to a culture alive, accessible and open to society. The emergence of Pervola is proof that the investment in cultural heritage is not simply associated with identity characteristics. It is a strategic advantage of pride, but also of competitiveness. A model of development that does not exhaust the resources of each place, but protects and highlights them. Monumental wealth is incorporated into the everyday life of citizens, strengthening the collective confidence and chain of our national power. We invest in culture because we invest in people. We invest in history because we invest in the future. We invest in the monuments as living cells of development, education, extroversion and creation.".
After the completion of the work, the area of twenty acres has turned into an open, visited, timeless museum. The performance of iconic sites marks a new era for Rhodes, strengthening its position on the global cultural map. Closing her speech before the crowded audience, Lena Mendoni stressed: "Culture plays a key role in collective self-awareness, sustainable development, social cohesion. With this strategic concept we have been implementing, over the last seven years, the largest and most targeted investment policy in Culture, which the country has known. Investments covering archaeological sites and monuments, museums and all kinds of cultural infrastructure, modern creation, cultural and creative industries. These investments create jobs, strengthen local entrepreneurship, upgrade the urban and natural environment, creating new growth prospects for local communities. The results of this policy are now visible.".
Lena Mendoni guided the Prime Minister and the restored historical cemetery of Murat Reis. The emergence and restoration of Ottoman monuments which was carried out by the Dodecanese Antiquities Ephorate was a complex project, involving the structural fixation of the mosque and its settlers, maintenance work in the eight burial mausoleums, which had suffered severe damage and the exposure of tomb columns. Visitors' service infrastructure was created and new lighting and security systems were installed. The project, a budget of EUR 700,000, was attributed to the public on 12 June.