The monastic complex of Nea Moni on Chios, a monument inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1990, is being fortified with modern fire-safety systems.
As the Ministry of Culture announced, the project includes a comprehensive plan for prevention, protection and early warning for the surroundings and buildings of Nea Moni, with interventions tailored to the special needs of the historic monument: the Katholikon (main church), the refectory (trapeza), the churches of the Holy Cross and of Saint Panteleimon, the museum, the chapel, the guardhouse and the archontariki (the reception/official room). The total project, budgeted at €1,700,000, is funded by the Ministry of Culture with resources from the Recovery Fund, the Ministry’s Public Investment Programme and the NSRF (ESPA).
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said: “Nea Moni was founded in the mid-11th century by imperial patronage and is an extremely important historical and cultural monument of universal value, a landmark for the island of Chios. With the aim of protecting and promoting the monastic complex, the Ministry of Culture, through its competent services, is implementing a structured programme of restoration and conservation of the individual buildings and the surrounding area, ensuring the monastery’s sustainability and making it fully accessible to visitors. Restoration works on the Defensive Tower and the Fortified Enclosure — key elements of the monastic fortifications — are underway. At the same time, restoration of the southern wing of cells is progressing so that the entire monumental complex can be showcased, while conservation of the Katholikon’s floors — the Katholikon having been consecrated in 1049 and decorated with mosaics of unique artistry — has been completed. The fire-safety project complements the monument’s integrated protection plan, ensuring the safety of the monument, the monks and visitors, without disrupting the historic and architectural setting.”
According to the Ministry’s statement, the fire-safety work includes the installation of a permanent water supply network, fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, and an early-warning and fire-detection system. At the same time, an evacuation plan for the site is being prepared and escape-route signage for visitor areas will be installed.
Nea Moni of Chios follows the Byzantine monastic layout with a Katholikon, refectory, cells and a defensive tower. During its thousand-year existence the monastery and its people have undergone many trials, such as the massacres of 1822 and the earthquake of 1881. From the original complex the Katholikon, the cistern, the tower, part of the refectory and the church of Saint Luke survive. The monastery was male until 1946, converted to a convent in 1950, and since 2014 has again been functioning as a male monastery.
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