Episkopi

Episkopi on the island of Sikinos is an impressive monument that preserves traces of a long and complex history spanning many centuries. It was originally constructed as an above-ground funerary monument (mausoleum–heroon) during the Roman period, in the 3rd century AD, and has survived almost intact to this day thanks to its conversion, in the Early Middle Ages, into a Christian church that remained in continuous use.
Severely damaged by destructive earthquakes and human interventions, the monument was abandoned in the 20th century. In 2016, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, recognizing both its great significance and the urgent need for its preservation, decided to proceed with its restoration and reopening to the public. The restoration study was undertaken by the scientific staff of the Ephorate, with support from the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage and AIGEAS AMKE, which funded the structural and geotechnical studies. The overall project was financed by the European Regional Development Fund – Region of South Aegean.
During the restoration works, important new evidence came to light, enriching our knowledge of Roman funerary monuments in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as of Byzantine church architecture in the Cyclades. The most significant discovery was a hermetically sealed, undisturbed tomb of an upper-class woman named “Neiko,” as revealed by an inscription uncovered during the project.
The restoration of the monument received the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2022.
Furthermore, archaeological research conducted in the wider area of Episkopi, extending toward the ancient city spread across the hill of Agia Marina to the west of the monument, identified important sculptures in extremely inaccessible locations. Their transfer to the immediate surroundings of Episkopi, in order to ensure their preservation and study, was possible only by airlift using a helicopter—an operation fully undertaken and funded by AIGEAS AMKE.

DONATION OF THE NON-PROFIT CIVIL COMPANY AEGEAS

• Preparation of structural and geotechnical studies for the restoration of the monument.
• Airlift transport of ancient sculptures to the immediate surroundings of Episkopi.