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Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni formally handed over the restored monument to the local community and visitors after the completion of works to conserve the fortress, restore key structures and improve the surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n
With a total budget of \u20ac1.85 million, the project was funded through Greece\u2019s Recovery and Resilience Facility.<\/p>\n
A Fortress at the Heart of Byzantine Macedonia<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The Ministry of Culture described Moglena Castle as a major example of Byzantine military architecture that served for centuries as an administrative, defensive and ecclesiastical centre in Macedonia.<\/p>\n The fortress is closely associated with major figures and events in Byzantine history, including the military campaigns of Emperor Basil II \u201cthe Bulgar Slayer\u201d and Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, highlighting its importance beyond the local region.<\/p>\n In her address, Mendoni said the castle formed a key part of the Byzantine defensive network alongside neighbouring fortifications, including the castle of Vodena (modern-day Edessa).<\/p>\n She noted that the fortress was established in the early 9th century, during the period of Bulgarian incursions into the region, and flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries.<\/p>\n \u201cThe restoration and promotion of Moglena Castle are not simply technical conservation works,\u201d Mendoni said. \u201cThey represent an investment in safeguarding our cultural heritage, strengthening historical memory and supporting the development of a border region of our country.\u201d<\/p>\n A Monument Linked to Byzantine History<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Also known as the Castle of Chrysi, after the nearby modern village, the fortress overlooks the Almopia Plain, from where it controlled strategic routes across the region.<\/p>\n Historical sources identify the settlement as the Byzantine town of Moglena, an important administrative and ecclesiastical centre that served as the seat of both a military district and a bishopric.<\/p>\n One of the monument\u2019s most prominent historical figures was Saint Hilarion of Moglena, who served as bishop during the 12th century and became known for opposing the Bogomil heresy.<\/p>\n The castle remained inhabited until the late 14th century, when it was gradually abandoned following the Ottoman conquest of the area.<\/p>\n Archaeological excavations conducted between 1985 and 1987 uncovered a three-aisled basilica identified as the episcopal church within the fortress, while a cross-shaped church and part of a cemetery were later discovered outside the southern walls.<\/p>\n Extensive Conservation Works Completed<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The restoration programme included strengthening the castle\u2019s foundations, repairing structural damage and conserving significant sections of the eastern fortification walls and the southern gate tower.<\/p>\n Conservation teams also restored the masonry of the episcopal basilica and the cemetery church while stabilising damaged stonework throughout the monument.<\/p>\n Beyond the structural works, the project transformed the visitor experience through the creation of:<\/p>\n Part of a Broader Cultural Development Strategy<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Mendoni said the restoration forms part of the Ministry of Culture\u2019s \u201cCultural Map of Development and Prosperity\u201d, launched in 2019 to protect important monuments while supporting regional development.<\/p>\n Preparatory studies for the project began through an INTERREG cross-border programme in cooperation with the Municipality of Almopia, with additional archaeological discoveries between 2016 and 2018 leading to updated restoration plans before the project secured Recovery Fund financing in 2022.<\/p>\n The reopening ceremony was led by Metropolitan Ioel of Edessa, Pella and Almopia and attended by local government representatives, members of parliament and senior officials from the Ministry of Culture.<\/p>\n Officials said the restored fortress is expected to strengthen cultural tourism in Pella while preserving one of Byzantine Macedonia\u2019s most important historical landmarks for future generations.<\/p>\n\n