Heavy reactions have sparked the detachment of the frescoes of dolphins from the so -called “Queen’s Apartments” in the archaeological site of Knossos.
The PASOK submitted a question to Parliament To the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni on “The Dolphins of Knossos did not withstand abandonment”.
In detail to the question, PASOK MPs report:
“In the most important archaeological site of Crete and one of the leading in the whole country, inside the Minoan palace of Knossos, a tour guide – apparently shocked – informed yesterday’s surprised Spanish visitors that they were the last to see the” frescoes “. It is a flagship work of Minoan art, characteristic of the long -standing tradition of marine themes, already in the early neo -pact period. Its collapse brings to light, in a dramatic way, the urgent need for meaningful maintenance and care of Crete’s most recognizable monument.
The part of the frescoes detached and collapsed, although technically constituted an external mortar, is considered an integral part of the Knossos palace. According to the established archaeological approach and the relevant legislation, Arthur Evans’ restoration interventions, as well as subsequent restorations, are considered as an unbreakable part of the monumental ensemble. The scientific community views the palace as a single and indivisible archaeological entity, regardless of the chronological stratigraphy of interventions, which confirms the importance of Knossos as a cultural presumption of global scope.
It is noteworthy that the form of the “frescoes of the dolphins” we knew to date is attributed to the Swiss artist and archaeologist Emile Gillieron (1850–1924), who worked closely with Schliemann and later with Evans in the reconstructions of Minoan works and frescoes. His son, Emile Gillieron, also contributed to his work, with their long -standing presence in Crete to have largely shaped today’s image of Minoan art. Their contribution is considered so important that it is a separate study for modern researchers.
The image of abandonment presented today by Knossos is not appropriate to a worldwide cultural monument, nor does it naturally reflect the state’s responsibilities towards our cultural heritage. Although Knossos is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the country and generates significant revenue to the Greek State, the government chooses not to invest the necessary funds for its maintenance, protection and promotion. It is revealing that even before the collapse of the frescoes, the palace had been closed due to strong winds and the risk of falling trees or elements of the monument itself. The Ministry of Culture appears to operate with rationales of deterioration management, rather than proposing a comprehensive plan to safeguard and rebuild the leading archaeological site of Crete. Knossos deserves more than rough measures and passive inactivity. It is worth the care and respect that corresponds to its size and importance.
Since the restoration work that has been carried out in recent years in the monument is meager in front of the size of the problem and the importance of the monument.
Since the Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion is under -staffed by archaeologists, but also to engineers, so it is unable to address even simple issues.
Since climate change creates new challenges for the archaeological site of Knossos.
The Minister is asked:
- What maintenance and rehabilitation projects have been executed in the archaeological site of Knossos during the period 2019–2024? What is the amount of the corresponding budgets and at what stage of implementation are the relevant projects?
- Does the Ministry intend to develop and implement an integrated maintenance, restoration and highlighting program of Knossos, which responds to its character as an international monument and include a clear timetable, scientific documentation and guaranteed funding?
- What immediate measures do you intend to take to address the problems that have arisen in the archaeological site of Knossos within the current tourist season, in particular with regard to the security of visitors and workers, as well as the protection of archaeological structures.
- Do you intend to direct the resources to Knossos in the coming years, and in particular to the restoration and maintenance of the monument in order to respond to the enormous challenge of climate change?
- Have you measured the wear of the monument due to climate change?
- What projects have you designed and from which resources will their funding emerge?
The MPs
Naya Grigorakou
Vatsina Helen
Franciscan Parasiris ».
SYRIZA also issued a statement, with a fire to the government.
“The collapse of the frescoes of dolphins from the air (!) In the Minoan palace of Knossos is another incident that crosses our country and highlights the maintenance deficit significant archaeological sites.
The policies of Messrs. Mitsotakis Mendoni at the Ministry of Culture has been serving the construction cartel for 6 years now and are indifferent to culture when it is not offered as a field of enrichment for ND days, “SYRIZA said in the statement.