T
he archaeological site of Philippi in northern Greece has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The decision was made Friday at a meeting of UNESCO’s international committee in Istanbul, Turkey. Greece had submitted an application in January 2015.
The site is the location of the oldest Neolithic settlement in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and one of the largest in the Balkans. Saint Paul founded the first Christian Church on European soil at Philippi in AD 49-50.
The decision to include Philippi in the list was reportedly made on the basis of the site’s archaeological and architectural significance, as well as the religious significance.
The decision takes the number of Greek World Heritage sites to 18.
Author: Athanasios Koutoupas
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Philippi becomes UNESCO World Heritage site
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Cypriot contractor J&P wins Qatar Foundation World Cup stadium deal
Cyprus-based contractor, Joannou & Paraskevaides (J&P), has been awarded the construction contract for the Qatar Foundation stadium, sources have revealed.The stadium will have a tournament capacity of 40,000, and as with all proposed 2022 FIFA World Cup venues, will feature innovative cooling technology that will provide comfortable playing and viewing conditions for fans and players alike.
The design of the stadium will see light filtered through complex geometrical pattern and will be located at Education City.
RFA Fenwick Iribarren Architects is the design consultant for the QF Stadium, while Astad Project Management serves as the project manager.
The development of QF Stadium, and the associated Health & Wellness Centre, will be overseen by the Qatar Foundation Capital Projects Directorate.
“We have received the confirmation letter on Saturday, 16 July. We are yet to receive the official document, but we expect it will come next week. Further details will be revealed then,” sources told Construction Week.
The structure is intended to reference Islamic architecture. Both the interior and exterior will be clad in translucent triangular panels whose colour and patterns will shift throughout the day, depending on the position of the sun and influence of artificial illumination which will reflect the events happening from within the stadium.
Construction is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2019.
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Alexandria studies importing 15 new trams to join its tramway network
A total of 15 new trams are expected to join the Alexandria tramway network that serves the Mediterranean city, according to statements by the head of the General Authority for Passenger Transport in Alexandria, Khaled Elewa.The authority has finalized the technical terms of the project, but still studying four offers from Ukraine, Italy, China and Belarus, Elewa told Youm7.
Began operating in 1863, the tramway network in Alexandria consists of 20 lines and serves 140 stops.
The price of single tram ride differs according to the carriage used, and it usually varies between 0.50 EGP to 5 EGP.
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Rare find of mosaic depicting the Labours of Hercules uncovered during Larnaca works
Mosaics from the second century AD which may depict the Labours of Hercules, have been uncovered in Larnaca during roadworks and appear to be of mayor importance, Sigmalive reported on Monday.The mosaics which are reportedly in better condition than those at the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos are thought to have been inspired by the Labours of Hercules.
The antiquities were discovered while the Larnaca sewerage board was carrying out works on the Kyriakos Matsis road.
According to a statement, there is a possibility that they will be left where they are and arrangements to construct an outdoor museum are planned.
The interior and transport minister will visit the site and hold a meeting with the Larnaca municipality this week.
The site has been covered with sand for safety reasons.
According to Phileleftheros, the mosaic measures 20 x 4.5 metres. “Such discoveries are made only once every hundred years,” Giorgos Philotheou from the Antiquities Department told the newspaper.
