PPA: Concession of SILO to the Ministry. Of Culture for the Museum of Underwater Antiquities

The building of SILO and its adjacent spaces, with a total area of ​​13,761 sq.m. granted today to the Ministry of Culture and Sports by the PPA. SA in a special event at the company’s premises, in the presence of the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, the President of PPA SA Yu Zenggang and Chinese Ambassador Xiao Junzheng. The contract was signed by the General Secretary of Culture George Didaskalou and the Executive Director of PPA SA. Zhang Anming. In the building of SILO and in its surrounding area, the Ministry of Culture and Sports has planned the establishment of the Museum of Underwater Antiquities. The project is funded by the credits provided by the Ministry of Culture and Sports from the Recovery Fund. The budget of the project is 77,563,212 euros and the time of its completion is the end of 2025.

The duration of the concession is set from the date of signing the contract until 12/2/2052 with a symbolic exchange. This concession is an additional targeted action on the part of PPA SA. within the framework of its integrated strategy, according to which the Company, in parallel with the development of its business activity, systematically takes care to achieve benefits and create further value at the level of local communities, but also of Greek society as a whole. Furthermore, the offer is made in the context of the Port’s development strategy, which is based on dialogue with the city and the communities it serves. In the Museum, according to the approved studies, an exhibition space is provided for the hospitality of Chinese antiquities.

As stated by the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni “Today is very important, as it marks the beginning of the creation of the Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus. The establishment of the Museum in the Port strengthens the cultural and developmental character of Piraeus, but at the same time gives added value to the investment. E. The building of SILO, reborn as a Museum of Underwater Antiquities -one of the few international museums of its kind- will highlight the archaeological wealth of the Greek seas, while at the same time it will function as a tourist pole and development resource for the city of Piraeus.

The relations between the two countries in the field of Culture were and remain close. Both countries are superpowers in this area, China in the East and Greece in the West. Greece and China cooperate in marine archaeological research based on a valid protocol. Our signature today confirms this cooperation in the clearest way. We are united with China by the participation of our countries in the Forum of Ancient Civilizations. I would like to thank PPA SA, its President Yu Yenggang and especially the Ambassador of China Xiao Junzheng for our cooperation for the success of this project “.

The President of PPA SA Yu Zenggang expressed his satisfaction and joy for the concession of the SILO building and the adjacent area, stating: “PPA SA chooses to seize every opportunity that presents itself and benefits the Greek society. The reconstruction of an old and historic building within the Port and its use in a marine antiquities exhibition building is the most suitable choice for the area and this building.We look forward to seeing the Museum and this cultural coast become a reality. in a point of high interest within the Port, open to all, attracting visitors from all over the world, while it will further upgrade the role of Greece as an international cultural destination “.

It is noted that last January, the Council of Museums of the Ministry of Culture, Physical Planning and Public Works gave a positive opinion on the architectural, static and electromechanical preliminary designs and the museographic preliminary design, which were funded by the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, as well as the modification of the building program.

The Museum of Underwater Antiquities will house finds lifted from all the Greek seas: Statues, sculpture sections, trading instruments, hulls and ship equipment accessories, weapons tools, inscriptions, toiletries, utensils and table ceramics, tools and a variety of objects, objects , searches and excavations, but also voluntary surrenders of individuals or seizures.

The facilities of the Museum will exceed 13,000 sq.m., which are distributed in exhibition spaces for permanent and periodic exhibitions, in spaces for educational programs and scientific activities (amphitheater, library, multimedia), maintenance workshops, service areas for visitors (reception, cloakroom, shop, refreshment room, restaurant, doctor’s office), administration offices.