Greece to Protect Historic Methoni Castle from Wave Damage

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Greece’s Ministry of Culture is moving ahead with a €1.7 million project to protect the western sea wall of Methoni Castle in the southwestern Peloponnese from wave damage.

The project targets one of Greece’s most important fortified complexes and will protect the medieval western sea wall from erosion, stone deterioration, cracking and partial collapses caused by prolonged exposure to strong wave action.

The Ministry of Culture said authorities have completed the studies required to restore the western and eastern walls, the Acropolis and the Bourtzi sea fortress. The studies followed a 2021 programme agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Peloponnese Region and the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, with funding from the Peloponnese Region 2021–2027 programme.

The Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments serves as the implementing body, while the National Development Programme of the Ministry of Culture funds the €1.7 million restoration and enhancement project for the western wall.

The western sea wall dates from the 13th century, with later repairs from the 15th century onwards. It features straight sections of wall and towers that follow the natural coastline and represents a characteristic example of medieval fortification architecture.

However, constant exposure to waves has caused extensive damage, including erosion and deterioration of the stonework, disruption of the masonry core, cracks and collapses.

The wall currently has five major impact craters and areas of collapse. Some resulted from bombing during the Second World War, while others developed through a combination of heavy rainfall and wave action.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the castle’s location on the southwestern tip of the Peloponnese and its direct relationship with the sea form an integral part of its character, but also leave the monument particularly vulnerable to the marine environment.

Mendoni said restoration, consolidation and enhancement works have already taken place at the monument to protect its walls and buildings and ensure its safe operation as an organised archaeological site.

New damage emerged in early 2021, however, when stones detached from the outer face of sections of the walls, making additional protection and consolidation measures necessary.

The minister said approval of the coastal engineering and environmental studies marks an important step towards protecting the western sea wall.

The proposed solution involves an entirely submerged reef breakwater designed to shield the monument from wave action without changing the appearance or seafront character of Methoni Castle.

The coastal engineering study proposes an approximately 485-metre-long continuous submerged breakwater, positioned offshore at a suitable depth so it can reduce wave energy before the waves reach the castle wall.

The structure will protect the vulnerable section of the fortifications between the northernmost and southernmost towers.

Engineers designed the breakwater entirely below sea level and will avoid excavation around the immediate marine perimeter of the walls, reducing the risk of further damage to the existing masonry.

The project will also take account of the area’s environmental sensitivity. The works lie within a Natura 2000 protected area in the marine zone of the Methoni Strait.

An Appropriate Assessment formed part of the environmental study, with planners specifically locating the works away from areas of seabed where they recorded meadows of Posidonia oceanica, a protected seagrass species.

The protected coastal zone will extend for approximately 450 metres, covering almost the entire southwestern coastline of the Agios Nikolaos peninsula, where the castle’s fortifications stand.

The Ministry said completion and approval of the studies will allow the necessary interventions to move forward, with the aim of addressing the causes of deterioration and providing long-term protection for the historic fortifications.

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