The Ministry of Culture of Greece has approved a project to protect and enhance the remains of the Pisistratus Wall, located in the archaeological site of Eleusis. The initiative involves the installation of new roofs over the sections of adobe masonry that are preserved from the wall.
The goal is to achieve a rational design that satisfies both the monument protection requirements and the harmonious integration of the roofs into the archaeological site. After studying the architectural and structural plans, the Central Archaeological Museum of Athens issued a unanimous opinion in favor of the project.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni stated: The importance of the Pisistratus Wall is enormous, as it is one of the few preserved examples of defensive constructions made of adobe bricks. After more than a hundred years since its discovery, the volumes that were initially clear have deteriorated in many places, and the joints are difficult to distinguish. As demonstrated in the study, the existing roofs do not provide the necessary protection against weather phenomena. The installation of new roofs will achieve the maximum possible protection of the remains against weather conditions and enhance the value of the monument.
The Pisistratus Wall, with which the Athenian tyrant first walled the city of Eleusis and its Sanctuary in the late 6th century BC, is constructed with adobe bricks.
The wall underwent three different operating conditions during its long history: as a defensive enclosure, as an embankment and part of a fill, and finally as a partially or fully excavated ruin.
The study’s objective is to protect the monument from the erosive effects of wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. The design is guided by the harmonious integration of the roofs into the archaeological environment, as well as by enhancing the importance of the monument.
Other expected benefits of a permanent roof include creating softer microclimate conditions, lighting, and ventilation, and limiting the range and speed of temperature changes.
To not alter the immediate environment, the roofs are strictly confined to the limits of the monument, in order to harmonize with the underlying structure and reinforce the notion of continuity of the findings.
Glass panels with point supports will be used for the lateral coverage. In addition, the height of the neighboring Cimonian Wall is taken into account to avoid negative impact.
The protection of the Pisistratus Wall is another intervention in Eleusis, where a complex project is already underway, including remodeling the entrance, connecting it to Heroes’ Square, creating a new accessible route, and improving infrastructure and services for visitors.
The goal is to make the site more accessible, understandable, and readable for the general public. Since it is embedded in the urban fabric, a closer and more organic relationship with the city is sought.
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