Fire brings finds in Messini

The General Secretary of Culture and Sport, Lina Mendoni, visited the site on Sunday, along with professor Petros Themelis, and senior archeologists and ministry staff.

Fortunately they found only minor damage, mainly soot on the surface of the fallen walls and masonry, which will be rectified immediately by the maintaince crew. Also, there were a few problems found in the ruined Byzantine chapel of Klisa-Porti, north of the Arcadian Gate, which also will be addressed immediately.

The ruined chapel dates to the 10th century, and along with the two churches of the Virgin at Monastiraki Zermpision (14th century), and St. Nicholas at Zermpision (10th century), that also suffered minor damage from the fire will also be studied for better protection, maintenance and enhancement.

The fire, however, because it burned dense vegetation, revealed further ashlar masonry of the wall of the ancient city, which will be restored to the right and left of the Arcadian Gate, in order to ensure inclusion of the project in the next financial program.