Culture Minister Lina Mendoni visits Rodopi to inaugurate restored Byzantine temple

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni visited the Rodopi region to oversee the restoration of an 11th-century Byzantine temple in Maximinopolis. The project, funded by the Recovery Fund with 1.5 million euros, involved structural repairs, the conservation of marble sculptures, and the protection of frescoes and floors.

During the visit, the temple was returned to its original use for religious services following a blessing ceremony by the Metropolitan of Maroneia and Komotini. Mendoni highlighted the monument as a rare architectural witness to the historical importance of Maximinopolis along the Egnatia axis.

In addition to the temple inauguration, the Minister inspected the upgraded facilities of the Komotini Music Hall, which is now part of the East Macedonia and Thrace Culture Roof. A technical meeting was also held with Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis to discuss the progress of ongoing cultural projects and planning for the 2028–2034 programming period.