The Minister for Culture Lina Mendoni,in the context of the integrated strategy of the Ministry of Culture for the protection, restoration, promotion and, finally, the cultural heritage of the Dodecanese in island societies, it attributed to the citizens of Kos, three major projects: St. John's restored paleo-Christian baptistery in the place "Seven Steps" - the door openings were performed by Metropolitan Kous and Nisyros Nathanael - the restored Defterdar mosque and the Gate of Foros, as informs today of the Ministry.
The specific monuments have suffered significant losses since the devastating earthquake of 21 June 2017. The total budget of projects implemented by the Ministry of Culture - including the project of the restoration of the Castle of Neratzia - exceeds 10,000,000 euros, which come from the Ministry's national resources and from the Recovery Fund.
First station of the Minister of Culture was the Old Christian Baptist of St. John in the place "Seven Steps", iconic monument of the early Christian period. The openings of the monument were carried out by His Eminence Metropolitan Cow and Nisyrus Nathanael, in a climate of particular emotion. He expressed his deep gratitude to the minister, pointing out that her intervention was instrumental in rescuing and restoring the Baptist. The Metropolitan decorated Lena Mendoni with the Golden Cross of the "Dodecanese Church", as recognition of her contribution to the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Dodecanese.
Culture Minister Lena Mendoni said: "This honorary distinction belongs, rightfully, to all the officials of the Ministry of Culture - to the responsible Directorates for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments and Conservation and to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Dodecanese- who deposited a soul reserve for the restoration of the monument. I remember, in 2020, when we saw the damn Baptist from our earthquake, our anguish. Today, we have healed the deep wounds left behind by the 2017 earthquake and celebrate the monument's rendering to local society. For the Ministry of Culture it is always a double joy when monuments return to their original use. All the monuments we attribute to Kos are living remains of the island's multicultural history. Now, they are safe, restored and armored, according to the principles of science, while at the same time strengthening local development by providing an upgraded, integrated experience to thousands of visitors."
Lena Mendoni then inaugurated the restored Defterdar Mosque, in Liberty Square. The historic monument of the 18th century, which had been severely damaged since the 2017 earthquake, was restored in a way that now ensures its full static proficiency. At the same time, the ODAP's store was in operation, strengthening the services provided to visitors.
Culture Minister Lena Mendoni said: "The image of abandoning the earthquake-stricken monuments of Kos, which we faced in 2020, was a traumatic experience that was immediately converted into debt. Today, by overcoming complex institutional and technical challenges, we have the pleasure of rendering the Defterdar Mosque fully restored to the local community. Our institutional framework requires us to deal with monuments, all historical periods and all kinds, with exactly the same respect. Any work completed is particularly important to the place. However, the projects carried out by the Ministry of Culture in carrying out values and symbols. Each is part of collective memory. Each is part of the multicultural identity of our country. At the same time, they are valuable public spaces that ensure sustainable economic growth and enhance social cohesion."
Lena Mendoni also attributed the restored Gate of Foros, one of the most important medieval monuments of the city of Kos. The project was implemented by the Directorate for Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments and included the complete reconstruction and static assurance of the monumental entrance, which had suffered serious damage since the earthquake, in 2017.
Subsequently, the minister performed an autopsy on the, under completion, work of restoring the earthquake-stricken medieval fortifications. The interventions in the southeastern bastion and the parts of the fortifications restored the continuity and security of the medieval defence fabric of the city, contributing essentially to the protection and promotion of the historical figure of Kos.
Lena Mendoni, completing her program in Kos, handed over the statue of Agios Nikolaos, to the His Eminence Metropolitan Koos and Nisyros Nathanael. The statue was guarded for years at the Palace of the Great Master in Rhodes for protection purposes. Now, he returned to where he belongs to be repositioned in his historical position, next to the Sans Cavalry House, at the entrance of Mandraki Harbour.
With the completion and performance of the works, Kos opens up the important monuments of its cultural and religious heritage, fully restored and accessible to citizens and visitors, confirming the Ministry of Culture's strategic policy for the protection, promotion and sustainable exploitation of cultural heritage, in every corner of the country, as concluded by the announcement of the Ministry of Culture.