The creation of a modern “Asklepion” ideally suited for wellness treatments, as well as the creation and operation of a modern technical school focused on international production methods with a clear spatial identity, include, among other things, the proposals of the research program “Highlight of the architecture and urban physiognomy of the settlements of Lakki and Lepida on the Island of Leros”, which was prepared by the scientific group of the National Technical University of Athens on the order of the Ministry of Culture and was presented yesterday by its supervisor, Professor of Architectural Theory, Panagiotis Turnikiotis.

The focus is on the buildings built on Leros during the Italian occupation, which bear the features of the so-called “rationalist” architecture of Mussolini’s fascist regime (good examples are the market building with a characteristic clock, the town hall and primary school in Lakki, and the buildings of the air base in Lepida, home of the so-called Royal Technical Schools for Civil War children, camps for exiles, and the island mental hospital after the war), the research program sees contemporary Leros as what Mr. Turnikiotis called “a challenge to the sustainable small-scale development model that will combine reconciled cultural traditions with innovative activities that can hinder the development of mass tourism.”

In particular – and as soon as appropriate investment and financial programs are found – a modern “Asklepion” can be located in Lepida, opposite the ancient Asklepion on the neighboring Kos, which will be offered for special interest and long-term tourism in a context that connects the historical medical tradition with the most modern research into alternative prevention and treatment. As for the modern technical school – the “Mediterranean Academy”, as Mr. Turnikiotis called it – it will combine technical and artistic traditions with the most modern considerations for a reasonable and sustainable alternative production. The “Mediterranean Academy,” added architecture professor Vassilis Kolonas of the University of Thessaly, who is also involved in the research project, could be shared between Lepida and Lakki, if not installed exclusively in the latter.

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni for its part, emphasized that Lakki and Lepida “represent a challenge to a model of sustainable small-scale development that can combine the promotion of the cultural and historical traditions and character of the island with completely innovative actions that can ensure the economic development of the islanders, in the principles and framework of sustainability and sustainable development . Our goal, on the one hand, is to preserve and preserve all these features, as well as highlight them, presenting them in the context of special and high-quality tourism.” As the Minister of Culture added, “We want to see Leros as a pilot, which will allow us to take advantage of the best practices that will be developed in other areas.”