A prominent Neolithic site and the Archaeological Museum of Volos are among the antiquities to be restored by a gift from the Union of Greek Shipowners, following an agreement signed with the Greek Ministry of Culture in Larissa on Wednesday.

According to a ministry statement, the gift of 9.5 million euros will help in the restoration of archaeological sites and cultural infrastructure in Thessaly following the destructive storm 'Daniel' in September 2023. The shipowners' union has also collected another 50 million euros in donations for public works in the Region of Thessaly, following a call issued by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The antiquities to be restored include the following:

- Archaeological site of Sesklo (Magnesia prefecture), one of the most important Neolithic communities in Europe, dated to 7,000 BC. Restoration will focus on damaged walls and water erosion threatening remains of homes.

- Aghios Nikolaos Church in Falani (Larissa prefecture), dated to the 19th century and a popular site locally, with paintings of saints dated to 1862. The southern wall of the church collapsed, and part of its roof was destroyed.

- The Athanassakio Archaeological Museum of Volos (Magnesia prefecture), a museum housing Neolithic artefacts and a reconstruction of a Neolithic home. Water damage between the old and new buildings was mostly restored, but it forced the relocation of laboratories and storage spaces to the courtyard. The pine trees in the yard also need to be replaced with fire-resistant trees, as a fire passed close to the museum in August 2023.

- Monastery of Taxiarches in Mt. Pelion (Magnesia prefecture), a post-Byzantine monastery dedicated to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, of architectural interest (katholikon and original wings). Work to stablize and reconstruct its dome was completed in the spring of 2023, but its old wings were severely damaged during Daniel. 
 

(Photo, courtesy of Culture Ministry, L to R: Union of Greek Shipowners President Melina Travlos, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, during a traditional dance performance in Falani, Larissa region)