The Greek Ministry of Culture has included the restoration and enhancement of the Bouleuterion at the Sanctuary of Dodona in its broader program of protection and promotion works within this significant archaeological site. The restoration project is being carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ioannina, with funding from the Hellenic Parliament, in addition to the ongoing excavation research at the monument, which has been subsidized since 2022.
Dodona was a religious center dedicated to Zeus and Dione since prehistoric times. The sanctuary initially featured an open-air layout centered around a sacred oak tree. Over time, it developed into an impressive architectural complex serving the needs of the cult. The Bouleuterion of Dodona, a political building, was constructed within the sanctuary’s precinct and near the imposing theater, in an area that also hosted other public buildings for political functions.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni stated:
“The Bouleuterion of Dodona, an imposing structure dating to the early 3rd century BC, served as the seat of the political institutions of the Koinon of the Epirotes. Located within the sanctuary’s precinct, adjacent to the ancient theater, the restoration proposal aims to protect the remaining architectural elements and restore the monument’s original form in a way that allows visitors to easily understand its historical development.”
The Bouleuterion’s restoration is part of a broader conservation plan for the archaeological site, which also includes:
Stabilization and restoration of the middle seating section of the ancient theater (the lower section has already been restored),
Conservation of the western stoa of the sanctuary’s outer enclosure,
Improvements for accessibility (including for people with disabilities),
Upgrades to visitor infrastructure and support facilities.
The total budget for all interventions exceeds €9 million, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to preserving one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites.
Restoration Details
Planned works at the Bouleuterion include:
Protection and reconstruction of the outer walls,
Restoration of seating tiers (analemmata) and columns,
Preservation of burial sites,
Installation of drainage systems to manage rainwater.
Historical Background
The Bouleuterion is historically linked to the Epirote League and was later used by the Koinon of the Epirotes. Today, it stands in a central part of the organized and accessible archaeological site.
It was a large structure with a single roof, three rows of interior columns, a Doric stoa with 15 columns on the south side, tiered seating, and two large entrances with limestone thresholds.
It went through three main construction phases:
Early 3rd century BC during the reign of King Pyrrhus, part of a major construction program that also included the Prytaneion, the Theater, and the Stadium.
After the Aetolian destruction in 219 BC.
After the Roman intervention in 167 BC, when it was repaired and continued in use.
During the late Roman period, the site was reused differently. The four tombs discovered there belong to this later phase. The final destruction of the building is attributed to a major earthquake between 522–528 AD.
Remains of the Bouleuterion were partly visible in the early 19th century, when foreign travelers began to visit the area. The first excavations were initiated in 1875 by Konstantinos Karapanos. Systematic research followed, especially between 1929 and 1973.
