Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended and spoke this afternoon at the event marking the completion of the projects to preserve and showcase Mystras, as well as the museum exhibitions at the famous Palace of the Despots, according to a related announcement.
The history of the Castle City, which includes the only Byzantine palace complex on European soil and was one of the most important cities of the late Byzantine period, is highlighted through a tour of the historic site, the permanent exhibition “Hegemonic Narratives,” and two accompanying temporary exhibitions.
“Here, back in the distant 13th century, a dialogue began between the past and the future—a dialogue that, in reality, has never ceased. That is why we are here today, to ensure that it will continue for many centuries to come, having restored this historic cradle so that it may be handed down as a living monument to world heritage, with culture remaining an inexhaustible source of our modern identity,” the Prime Minister noted in his speech.
The Palace is the 30th museum space to be opened to the public since the summer of 2019, following the installation of a state-of-the-art fire suppression and fire protection system that shields the archaeological site of Mystras from the threat of climate change, ensuring accessibility through the restoration of the Byzantine path and the operation of an elevator serving the palace, as well as the integration of digital tools that enable a multidimensional presentation of the monuments and exhibits.
“By the end of the year, we still have eight museums and archaeological sites that we will inaugurate. We’re not just talking about museums here; we’re talking about infrastructure projects overall—more than 900 across the country—with a budget exceeding 1.3 billion euros,” the Prime Minister emphasized, noting that these projects are funded by national and European resources, including funds from the Recovery Fund.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also highlighted the contribution of culture to the country’s soft power, its international visibility, and economic development:“Our culture is, in essence, a cornerstone of our national strength. It stands on equal footing with the strengthening of our deterrent capability, economic progress, and social cohesion. And so, our cultural identity not only ensures international respect but also serves as a source of collective self-confidence, forging unity and pride both at home and abroad,” he stated.
“Investment in culture has a multiplier effect in terms of job creation and the generation of economic wealth that is far greater than that of other economic sectors , ” the Prime Minister added. “The numbers show that every euro of public money invested in culture creates three times the value for society within just five years, and even more in the audiovisual sector, where very important work is also being done.”
Highlighting the benefits of investing in culture for local communities, Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined the impact that these initiatives will have in Laconia and more broadly across the Peloponnese: “With Mystras at its center, the transformation of the entire prefecture of Laconia into a hub of culture and history is underway. In Sparta, among other things, the restoration of the ancient theater is underway, along with the modernization of the old archaeological museum alongside the construction of the new one. Meanwhile, dozens of other initiatives are creating a unified map of cultural attractions that ensures the development of Laconia. “The time has come for Laconia to firmly establish itself on the global tourism map,” he said emphatically.
Work at the Castle City, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, continues with the conservation of the frescoes at three iconic monuments: Pantanassa, Agios Dimitrios, and Evangelistria, projects expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
As part of the digitization of culture and the development of cultural tourism, Mystras has also been included in the historical fortress tour route titled “Castle Network: From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire,” which is accessible online and is already part of the Hellenic Heritage portal.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni stated, among other things: “Since 2019, the Ministry of Culture has implemented an extensive program of interventions at the archaeological site aimed at its protection, restoration, and promotion, as well as the creation of visitor services infrastructure.
Undoubtedly, the crowning achievement of these projects is the restoration of the Palace of the Despots. Today, the only surviving Byzantine palace complex in Greece and one of the very few in the world, it reopens its gates, restored, legible, and fully functional as an exhibition space.
The palace is now presented to the public, not as a mere architectural relic, but as a living space of history, knowledge, and experience.”