Procedures for restoration of Phoenix Theatre begin
Phoenix Theatre
13 Oct 2022
/ 20:55
CORFU. Only the walls remain of this once unique building.
After years of waiting, the procedures are finally starting, in order for the Phoenix Theatre, which has been classified as a listed monument and a work of art, to be put out to tender.
This unique building was built in 1895 and is located in the Old Town on the Venetian Raimondo rampart. Since 2006 it stopped being used and for almost two decades now it has been patiently waiting to be restored.
Today, 16 years later, only the walls remain of this once unique building, which becomes even more deteriorated over time with more and more pieces of the roof and walls falling. It was attempted to restore the Theatre in the past, as a project approved by the Central Archaeological Council (2008), but it was excluded from the ESPA Programme due to various problems. In 2018, the project was reincluded in the "Ionian Islands 2014-2020" Operational Programme following a decision from the former Ionian Islands Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos.
Four years later, the procedures that will bring it back to its former condition and its lost glory are finally underway.
Update of studies
The update of the restoration studies is necessary for the tendering of the project. Thus, the Management Organisation Unit of Development Programmes proceeded to a tender process. The deadline for submission of tenders for the selection of the project contractor was 5 October.
The previous tender process a few months ago was unsuccessful, but this time the tender has attracted potential contractors. The study has to be prepared within four months since the signing of the contract. It will then be handed over to the Central Corfu Municipality to proceed with the tendering of the project.
At the Management Organisation Unit of Development Programmes Board meeting on 8 June 2021 the Municipality's request for the assignment of this study by the Unit was approved.
The studies
The project includes a geophysical study and research to locate a network of underground tunnels along the western wall of the Raimondo rampart, a study of architectural documentation and stability of the western wall of the Raimondo rampart, an update of the modified architectural study on the restoration of the Phoenix Theatre with comments from the Central Archaeological Council and an update of the structural and electromechanical study on the restoration of the Phoenix Theatre.
The theatre
The Phoenix Theatre exists for more than 100 years and it is still a landmark monument for the town. It has been declared a modern heritage site and its construction was completed in the summer of 1895.
Built on the edge of the Venetian Raimondo rampart, it was the southwestern defensive front of the town's Venetian perimeter fortification, which was destroyed during the period of the British Rule. It was the ideal place to create a theatre, while a part of it also was a summer cinema. The Corfu Municipal Theatre owns the theatre since 1998. The building reopened as a theatre at Christmas 1999. Since December 2006, the Theatre has not been used and has been waiting to be restored.
This unique building was built in 1895 and is located in the Old Town on the Venetian Raimondo rampart. Since 2006 it stopped being used and for almost two decades now it has been patiently waiting to be restored.
Today, 16 years later, only the walls remain of this once unique building, which becomes even more deteriorated over time with more and more pieces of the roof and walls falling. It was attempted to restore the Theatre in the past, as a project approved by the Central Archaeological Council (2008), but it was excluded from the ESPA Programme due to various problems. In 2018, the project was reincluded in the "Ionian Islands 2014-2020" Operational Programme following a decision from the former Ionian Islands Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos.
Four years later, the procedures that will bring it back to its former condition and its lost glory are finally underway.
Update of studies
The update of the restoration studies is necessary for the tendering of the project. Thus, the Management Organisation Unit of Development Programmes proceeded to a tender process. The deadline for submission of tenders for the selection of the project contractor was 5 October.
The previous tender process a few months ago was unsuccessful, but this time the tender has attracted potential contractors. The study has to be prepared within four months since the signing of the contract. It will then be handed over to the Central Corfu Municipality to proceed with the tendering of the project.
At the Management Organisation Unit of Development Programmes Board meeting on 8 June 2021 the Municipality's request for the assignment of this study by the Unit was approved.
The studies
The project includes a geophysical study and research to locate a network of underground tunnels along the western wall of the Raimondo rampart, a study of architectural documentation and stability of the western wall of the Raimondo rampart, an update of the modified architectural study on the restoration of the Phoenix Theatre with comments from the Central Archaeological Council and an update of the structural and electromechanical study on the restoration of the Phoenix Theatre.
The theatre
The Phoenix Theatre exists for more than 100 years and it is still a landmark monument for the town. It has been declared a modern heritage site and its construction was completed in the summer of 1895.
Built on the edge of the Venetian Raimondo rampart, it was the southwestern defensive front of the town's Venetian perimeter fortification, which was destroyed during the period of the British Rule. It was the ideal place to create a theatre, while a part of it also was a summer cinema. The Corfu Municipal Theatre owns the theatre since 1998. The building reopened as a theatre at Christmas 1999. Since December 2006, the Theatre has not been used and has been waiting to be restored.
