Communication Actions

2022, 2023 Educational tours at St. Stephen in Arnaia

The post-Byzantine church of St. Stephen in Arnaia is one of the few monuments in Greece which, while in operation, keeps its long-standing history visible through its glass floor. After the devastating fire of 2005 which left only the walls standing, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Chalkidiki and Mount Athos brought at least four earlier phases to light during a rescue excavation, the oldest being an Early Christian basilica of the 5th century.

The purpose of the educational tours that were organized in the summers of 2022 and 2023 was to make the research conducted known, so that this monument of particular interest for the history of Chalkidiki is preserved.

The program included a) an “Archaeological presentation” at a seating area in the atrium of St. Stephen, with a projection of images and short videos from the excavation work undertaken by our Service and b) a tour of the monument and the architectural remains of its earlier phases, which are visible through the glass panels on the floor.

As an alternative, a second lecture was held the following year entitled “Arnaia through the eyes of travelers”, with selected excerpts from the accounts of foreign travelers of the 18th and 19th centuries who had passed through the area and had recorded their impressions.

The program lasted 45 minutes and the target audience was adults and families with children. Upon agreement, it was also held in English and French for groups of foreign visitors.

The program was free of charge for groups of 15 people, who could book a seat by sending an e-mail to the Service.

Event coordination: Giorgos Skiadaresis, Archaeologist, Deputy Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Chalkidiki and Mount Athos

Research – program implementation: Eleni Stoumpou Katsamouri, Archaeologist – director