Ανασκαφικές και αναστηλωτικές εργασίες στην αρχαία αγορά της Θεσσαλονίκης κατά το 1994
Part of : Το Αρχαιολογικό Έργο στη Μακεδονία και στη Θράκη ; Vol.8, No.1, 1994, pages 159-167
Issue:
Pages:
159-167
Parallel Title:
Ancient forum of Thessaloniki
Abstract:
The Roman Agora of Thessaloniki comprises an area of about 2 acres in the Centre of the Roman City. It is open at the one side, having the shape of the Greek letter Π, facing a main axis of the city on the north side. Along the three sides double colonnaded Corinthian stoas existed and in the background a section of rooms. On the southern side, due to the natural inclination of the ground, a construction of a double Cryptoporticus was created under the double stoa since it functioned as a foundation for the stoa and at the same time as a retaining wall of the additional technical filling with earth made for levelling the square. In direct connection with the Cryptoporticus to the southern side, a row of shop3 was created with their entrances facing the paved street. The agora complex was the administrative centre of ancient Thessaloniki in the2nd and 3rd century AD and functioned until the 5th century AD. In the central part of the eastern side at least three roman phases have been identified. In the centre of its length, a theatrical room with curved seats has been found. It belongs to the firstphase of the Agora, in the era of the Antonins, and it may be a Vouleftirion. During the second phase, which is the main phase of the Agora and dates back to the first decades of the era of the Seviri, an Odeion for an audience of 400 people was constructed at this place. In the second half of the 4th century, probably during the time of Julian, the extension of the Odeion was planned. A second cavea, four times bigger in space, now for an audience of 2500 people was constructed. The stage was extended to the west covering the width of the inner stoa but leaving completely untouched the interior columns. The old entrances were closed and new ones, with wide staircases to the left and the right of the edges of the new stage were opened. Some of the old entrances, though, were kept for use by actors. In addition, during the extension of the Odeion another circle of seats had been planned, but in fact was never constructed. Therejection of the plan could be easily dated to the time of Theodosios I, whose negative attitude against all pagan activities is well known. Archaeological investigation in the Roman Agora of Thessaloniki started 30 yearsago as a rescue excavation. By the end of the 1960’s the most important parts of the ancient complex had been already brought into ligh. At the end of 1989 the XVIE phorate of Antiquities resumed its investigation of the site, funded initially by the Municipality of Thessaloniki. Since 1990 the Ministry for Culture i.e. the Archaeological Service of Thessaloniki in co-operation with the Aristotelion University (Prof. G. Velenis) has begun a new project for further investigation that will lead to the eventual completion of the main study of the Roman Agora. The ultimate aim of the whole programme is to reintegrate the Ancient Forum into the life and fabric of the modern city. Thus it includes plans to use the Odeon as a venue for public entertainment, the cryptoporticus for permanent and temporary exhibitions, and the square for outdoor cultural events. For this purpose extensive investigations have been carried out, as well as essential consolidation and restoration work on the cryptoporticus and the Odeon. On the incorporation of the work into the «Pilot Plan for the Development and Regeneration of the Historical Commercial Centre» of Thessaloniki, during theyears 1990-1994 and the incorporation at once after for the next four years (1995-1999) in the European Programms the Regional Authority of Central Macedonia became the main funding body. The restoration work on the Odeon is being funded, since 1992, by the A. G. Leventis Foundation. Parts of the buildings of the east wing of the Agora was restored, new architectural members of the Odeon was reconstructed, a revetment of the seatswas made of artificial marble and the ancient marble slabs of the floor on the orchestra was conservated. Also with the financial help of the A. G. Levent is Foundation a modern glass floor was constructed on the Odeon to be visible the previous phase of the Vouleuterion.The opening day of the Cryptoporticus was the 17th of October 1996. Next year,1997, when Thessaloniki was the Cultural Capital of Europe, the Odeon opened also to the public in 27th June of 1997. During the summer of 1997 several modern uses of the restored Odeon and Cryptoporticus took place. The area regains little by little its former beauty and developes into a cultural centre in the heart of the modern city
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
Θεσσαλονίκη, Αγορά, συνέδρια
Notes:
Περιέχει εικόνες.
