Travelling urgently to Didymoteicho, Minister of Culture, Lydia Koniordou, accompanied by the Ministry’s general secretary, Maria Vlazakis, had the opportunity to see up close the damage caused by the fire to the Grand Mosque (Beyazit).
Mrs. Koniordou was also filled in on the works already underway for the repair the damaged roof, expected to be completed in the next 10 days. The minister reiterated that the monument will be restored fully and without delay, with works being funded mostly through the new NSRF (2014-2020). It should be noted that repairs on the foundation and interior of the Mosque will take place following the removal of the roof, with the repair of the roof itself to follow thereafter. The roof will be completely reconstructed as an exact replica of the section destroyed by the fire.
Speaking to the N. Orestiada branch of the Hellenic Broadcast Corporation, the Minister of Culture noted that “though it is saddening that we have lost the old material, the replacement might actually turn out to be even faster for it, precisely because there won’t be a need for a time-consuming restoration”. Mrs. Koniordou also highlighted how it is a very encouraging fact that the mosque’s frescoes and inscriptions were spared, assuring all that “the Ministry will make every effort possible to speed up the process away from bureaucratic delays”.
Mrs. Koniordou concluded her visit to Didymoteicho with a tour of the city’s Byzantine Museum and the Castle.
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