Greece Launches Restoration of Panagia Parigoritissa in Arta

Photo: thebyzantinelegacy.com

ARTA, GREECE — Greece’s Culture Ministry, in cooperation with the Epirus Region and the Municipality of Arta, has launched restoration procedures for the historic Church of Panagia Parigoritissa following a positive opinion from the Central Archaeological Council. The project will be carried out by the ministry’s Directorates for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments and for the Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments.

The works will be included in the municipality’s Sustainable Urban Development programme and funded through the Epirus Regional Operational Programme under the 2021–2027 European Social Fund framework. According to Lina Mendoni, the 13th-century church is a monument of exceptional importance to Byzantine art history. Built by Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas and his family, the structure features a unique architectural type and remarkable mosaics of Christ Pantocrator and the prophets.

Planned interventions aim to stabilize and protect the monument, enhance its internal layout, and improve lighting and fire safety systems. A research programme by the National Technical University of Athens will support structural documentation.

Photos of the interior of the church can be found here. 

Previously, the UOJ reported that the first Divine Liturgy in 100 years was celebrated at the restored Karelia Church.

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