Former Port Authority President explains why there won΄t be a fountain at the port roundabout
Apidalos Nafs
04 Nov 2019
/ 11:24
CORFU. The recent Corfu Port Authority President Spyros Stefanidis has published the reasons for placing only the ΄Apidalos Nafs΄ at the roundabout and not a fountain.
The former President of Corfu Port Authority Spyros Stefanidis has explained in a letter why small fountains were not placed in the New Port roundabout along with the 'Apidalos Nafs'.
The letter was sent to the Ministry of Culture & Sport, the General Administration for Antiquities & Cultural Heritage and the Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Archaeological Works Administration with copies going to Corfu Inspectorate of Antiquities, the Central Archaeological Committee (KAS) and the Depratment for Modern Monuments.
"The approval of the work study and the placement of the work of art in the centre of the roundabout are important and welcome contributions to the completion of the wider work at the port, with which the roundabout is directly connected.
We, of course, respect the decision not to approve the placement of small fountains, however, the reason given that they would interfere with the "view for those coming to the Old Town from the port" is not valid as between the roundabout and the New Fortress there are buildings much higher than the work of art and the small fountains which block the view whether or not there are fountains there."
Mr. Stefanidis went on to talk about the 'Apidalos Nafs'.
"The photographs recently published in the local media show the 'Apidalos Nafs' on a base in the centre around which there will be grass.
It should be noted that the proposal and design sent by the Port Authority to the Ministry of Culture for approval included a circular pool around the 'Apidalos Nafs' with 6 fountains of the same height - 2.85m from the ground.
After a long wait, the Ministry gave its approval just for the work of art to be placed on a base with grass around it - not because it disagreed with the aesthetic design but because the fountains would hide the New Fortress from those coming from the port!
Corfu Port Authority was obliged to reply that it would respect the decision from KAS but at the same time expressed its disagreement with the reason given: 'We, of course, respect the decision not to approve the placement of small fountains and will not place them, however, the reason given that they would interfere with the "view for those coming to the Old Town from the port" is not valid as between the roundabout and the New Fortress there are buildings (e.g. the Atlantis and Ionian Hotels) much higher than the work of art and the small fountains which block the view whether or not there are fountains there."
An application for reconsideration was sent to the Ministry of Culture, who replied that they did not approve a re-submission to the Central Archaeological Committee.
When work began about three months ago on the roundabout, port entrance and lighting an alternative design was discussed at the Port Authority with a circular pool around the 'Apidalos Nafs' (without fountains) with water spilling over into a larger pool to create a sensation of flowing water - which the roundabout will not now have.
However, Port Authority research showed that referring the matter to KAS would be very time-consuming and combined with the decision to start work on the roundabout at the end of the tourist season (even though a contractor had been found during the summer) to avoid problems for the seasonal traffic, it was decided that there was not the time available."
The letter was sent to the Ministry of Culture & Sport, the General Administration for Antiquities & Cultural Heritage and the Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Archaeological Works Administration with copies going to Corfu Inspectorate of Antiquities, the Central Archaeological Committee (KAS) and the Depratment for Modern Monuments.
"The approval of the work study and the placement of the work of art in the centre of the roundabout are important and welcome contributions to the completion of the wider work at the port, with which the roundabout is directly connected.
We, of course, respect the decision not to approve the placement of small fountains, however, the reason given that they would interfere with the "view for those coming to the Old Town from the port" is not valid as between the roundabout and the New Fortress there are buildings much higher than the work of art and the small fountains which block the view whether or not there are fountains there."
Mr. Stefanidis went on to talk about the 'Apidalos Nafs'.
"The photographs recently published in the local media show the 'Apidalos Nafs' on a base in the centre around which there will be grass.
It should be noted that the proposal and design sent by the Port Authority to the Ministry of Culture for approval included a circular pool around the 'Apidalos Nafs' with 6 fountains of the same height - 2.85m from the ground.
After a long wait, the Ministry gave its approval just for the work of art to be placed on a base with grass around it - not because it disagreed with the aesthetic design but because the fountains would hide the New Fortress from those coming from the port!
Corfu Port Authority was obliged to reply that it would respect the decision from KAS but at the same time expressed its disagreement with the reason given: 'We, of course, respect the decision not to approve the placement of small fountains and will not place them, however, the reason given that they would interfere with the "view for those coming to the Old Town from the port" is not valid as between the roundabout and the New Fortress there are buildings (e.g. the Atlantis and Ionian Hotels) much higher than the work of art and the small fountains which block the view whether or not there are fountains there."
An application for reconsideration was sent to the Ministry of Culture, who replied that they did not approve a re-submission to the Central Archaeological Committee.
When work began about three months ago on the roundabout, port entrance and lighting an alternative design was discussed at the Port Authority with a circular pool around the 'Apidalos Nafs' (without fountains) with water spilling over into a larger pool to create a sensation of flowing water - which the roundabout will not now have.
However, Port Authority research showed that referring the matter to KAS would be very time-consuming and combined with the decision to start work on the roundabout at the end of the tourist season (even though a contractor had been found during the summer) to avoid problems for the seasonal traffic, it was decided that there was not the time available."
