



The Central Archaeological Council (CAC) has made progress in plans to build a brand-new museum on the island of Delos, one of the best known and significant archaeological sites in Greece. The general framework of principles and specifications for a study on the construction of a new museum on the island, an island of the Cyclades archipelago located near Mykonos in the southern Aegean, was decided in a meeting on Thursday.

The study will be funded by the London-based International Foundation for Greece , established by George and Aspasia Leventis.

According to the specifications set, the museum will cover 5,000 sq meters or more, most of which will be underground in accordance with the principles of bioclimatic architecture and as far away from the sea as possible to ensure that the building and the exhibits are protected from the elements.

Exhibits will include some of which are currently housed in the old museum, as well as antiquities now stored in warehouses or others that are on display at the archaeological site.

Delos is a miniscule island that measures just 5 km from north to south and a scant 1.3 km from east to west. According to ancient Greek mythology, it was the birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis, the son and daughter of Zeus and Leto: like Delphi, Delos is the major sanctuary dedicated to Apollo, one of the most important gods in the Hellenic pantheon.

As the mythological birthplace of Apollo and the site of his sanctuary, this tiny island in the Cyclades archipelago was considered sacred and attracted pilgrims from all over Greece, making Delos a prosperous trading port. The island bears traces of the succeeding civilizations in the Aegean world, from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the palaeochristian era. The archaeological site is exceptionally extensive and rich and conveys the image of a great cosmopolitan Mediterranean port.

(source: ana-mpa)



