Warning from the Town Planning Department: Annunciata monument is collapsing and is a danger to passers-by!
CORFU. A risk report has been issued requesting the owner to take protective measures for the safety of passing pedestrians.
Extract from the Prime Minister’s speech at the Ionian Islands Development Conference: “I would like to mention that the safeguarding of Corfu archaeological sites, especially Angelokastro, is being dealt with. Projects such as the Gouvia Venetian Dockyards have been integrated in the Ministry’s plans and repair works on the Annunciata Monument are going to commence in April. I pronounced it right, didn’t I? Annunciata. I’m learning.”
In the meantime, Annunciata is collapsing. Corfu Municipality and the Antiquities Department never agreed about how the monument was to be restored and by whom - apart from the group of volunteers on Facebook ‘Save Annunciata’. However, in a meeting the Mayor of Corfu had with the Minister of Culture, Lydia Koniordou, about a year ago it was decided to make a ‘restart’ - the Municipality was to undertake a structural study and the Ministry was to undertake the architectural work - which became the bone of contention, resulting in the contractual work being scrapped.
To the massive file on the long-suffering bell tower another file has been added: a risk report issued by the Town Planning Department and addressed to the owner - Corfu Hospital, which owns 66% of the property.
The risk report was issued by the Structural Services Administration – Building Monitoring Department on 26th February and was brought to the attention of the Municipal Council by the leader of the main opposition party, Meropi Ydraiou, at Monday’s meeting.
Following a report from a member of the public, the Town Planning Department confirmed that due to damage there was a danger of the bell tower or a section of it collapsing, and held the owners responsible for the removal of the danger.
It was also noted in the report that due to the fact that the monument is located in Corfu Old Town, it is classified as a historical conservation monument - “Corfu Antiquities Department, to which the risk report has been forwarded, has been requested to express its views on the matter.”
“The damage to this stone-built monument is clearly visible, with pieces having come away along with other forms of deterioration.”
The report specifically states that there is a risk to passing pedestrians as well as to adjacent properties. Measures need to be taken immediately for the safety of pedestrians and the employees in the shops located in the vicinity of the monument.
Moreover, it declares that the owners are obliged to carry out the necessary safety works following the proper studies and approvals. The owner is also obliged to carry out the necessary works in good time - otherwise criminal charges will be brought.
“If the repair work is not carried out in time by the owner, the Municipality will take the necessary steps to remove the risk - either through the evacuation of the area or, if these measures are not sufficient, by demolishing the building itself or the adjacent buildings. In this case, the owner is obliged to meet all the costs.”
