“XENOKRATEION” old school building restoration and transformation in a modern archaeological museum
About this good practice
● "XENOKRATEION" was an historic yet abandoned building in the city centre of Messolonghi causing subsequent urban degradation. A twofold “Integrated Spatial Investment'' (ISI) made of 2 pillars, culture & environment, was elaborated with XENOKRATEION building restoration at the forefront of the cultural pillar, to upgrade both, the central city building-environment along with overall urban development through wider cultural services, justified also by the impressive increase of archaeological finds that came to light during recent infrastructure works.
● The “ISI” is an explicit institutional tool allowing for a comprehensive development approach to be further implemented by a strategic plan; it constitutes an eco-development and spatial planning model based on the carrying capacity of the natural and cultural capital of a specific area, here the Messolonghi lagoon, the largest lagoon in Greece. The twofold “ISI of Messolonghi – Aitolikos” consists of 2 priority axes (environment & culture) and comprises 40 projects, one of which is the XENOKRATEION building restauration and transformation in a modern archaeological museum operated by the Ministry of Culture local services. Within this context, of an “ISI'' adjusted to the area needs, XENOKRATEION represents the local practice for urban transformation.
●The main stakeholders are local, regional, and national competent authorities involved in the implementation of XENOKRATEION museum.
Resources needed
The XENOKRATEION building restoration cost of 2.257.950,96 € was financed by the Regional Operational Program "Western Greece 2014-2020. It was inaugurated 12/2021 and practically open since 2022: too short to calculate impact on local tourism".
Evidence of success
1. Restoration of an historic building
2. Establishment of a missing archaeological museum in an area accounting for landmark historical events, as the Actium naval battle 31 BC
3. Regeneration of the city centre with the museum ensuring a new entertainment & education pole, promoting socio-cultural life with positive spillover effects on the local economy
Considering the small city size and Covid-19 restrictions, the 2 years’ operation accounting for > 7.570 visitors/year is a local success.
Potential for learning or transfer
(a) Relevance: XENOKRATEION directly links with sustainable urban regeneration & upgrade of cultural public services.
(b) Impact: from opening (12/2021) an average of 7.570 visitors/year (5.507 adults+9.634 pupils): a significant figure considering the Messolonghi city size (<32.000 inhabitants).
(c) Replicability lies with the well-known concept of old buildings’ restoration & transformation into modern museums to boost urban regeneration through cultural offer (ex. Le Louvre Lens, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao)
(d) Sustainability: secured by the Messolonghi “ISI”.
(e) Innovation: threefold: 1) the concept: historical building restoration used to leverage urban regeneration 2) establishment of a missing museum to promote archeological heritage and upgrade cultural offer regionwide 3) funds’ combination: the integrated strategy (study) and the building restoration was financed by Western Greece ROP 2014-2020 while the XENOKRATEION museum is operated by Ministry of Culture.
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