The brand-new museum building project on the Cycladic island of Delos, southern Aegean, got on its tracks as the Central Archaeological Council decided upon the general framework of specifications and principles for a study on its construction, in a meeting held recently.
The “tiny” island of Delos that stretches just 5 km from north to south and 1.3 km from east to west holds great archaeological importance. According to the Greek mythology, Delos was the birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis and as a major sanctuary dedicated to Apollo, it was considered sacred and attracted pilgrims from all over Greece, making Delos a flourishing trading port.
The specifications for the new museum provide it will cover nearly 5,000 sq metres, most of which will be underground complying with principles of bioclimatic architecture, and as far away from the sea as possible to ensure that the building and the exhibits are protected from nature’s elements.        
Exhibits will include some of those currently housed in the old museum, as well as antiquities stored today in warehouses or others currently on display in the archaeological site.  
The study for this new project will be funded by the London-based International Foundation for Greece, established by George and Aspasia Leventis.