Greece is pouring roughly 15 million euros into restoring the Bayezid Mosque in Didymoteicho, one of the most significan...

Greece is pouring roughly 15 million euros into restoring the Bayezid Mosque in Didymoteicho, one of the most significant Ottoman monuments built on European soil, with the site expected to reopen to the public before the end of 2026. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni toured the Evros region to inspect progress on three major heritage projects. The Bayezid Mosque, built in 1420, was heavily damaged in a 2017 fire, and the ministry committed to a full restoration in 2019. Work includes rebuilding the pyramid-shaped wooden roof, restoring the 22-meter minaret to its full height, and reconstructing the wooden doors, windows, and stone fanlights. A lightning rod has been installed, and a wheelchair lift is being added for full accessibility. Funding comes from Greece's Recovery and Resilience Fund, the Public Investment Program, and the ministry's own budget. The restoration is being carried out by the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments. The minister also reviewed progress at the Roman city of Plotinopolis, southeast of Didymoteicho, founded by Emperor Trajan between 98 and 117 AD in honor of his wife Plotina. A 2.18 million euro project, funded through the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace 2021-2027 Regional Program, is turning the site into an accessible, organized archaeological park. Excavations there since 1977 have uncovered a mosaic-floored complex and, famously, the only golden bust of Emperor Septimius Severus ever found in Greece, discovered by chance in 1965. A third stop was the burial mound of Mikri Doxipara-Zoni, discovered between 2002 and 2004 and dated to between 100 and 150 AD. The mound contains four cremation pits, rich bronze, iron, glass, and clay grave offerings, five wagons with their metal and wooden components, and horse burials. Mendoni confirmed that construction work on the protective shelter for the site is advancing intensively. #Evros #Thrace #GreekHistory