ESTABLISHMENT OF THE "SOCIETY
OF MESSENIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES" (SMAS).
 The
creation of a union under the title "Society of Messenian
Archaelogical Studies" having its seat at the village of
Mavromati, was first proposed by Petros Themelis and George Kouvelakis;
Kouvelakis contributed essentially with his legal knowledge to
the final form of the text and the various chapters of the Constitution.
The proposition was promptly adopted by eminent citizens of Messenia
who undersigned the Constitution and became the first members
of the Society. The establishment of the society was officially
approved by the relevant court of Kalamata in November 2, 1994
(decision no. 20/1994). For the management committee of the Society
the following members were elected: Petros Themelis (president),
Photis Kostopoulos (vice-president), Andreas Sarris (secretary),
Vilma Apostolaki (treasurer), George Kouvelakis (member). Aims
of the Society, according to chapter (a) of the constitution are:
1. Support to the excavations of the Archaeological Society at
Ancient Messene, 2. Promotion of restoration works on the monuments
and the fortification walls, 3. Support to the enhancement of
the whole archaeological site, 4. Care for the repair and function
of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments of the area in and
around the ancient city, such as the monastery called Andromonasteron",
the Samarina Church and the old monastery of Voulkhanos, 5. Promotion
of historical and archaeological studies related to Ancient Messene,
6. Education of personnel to be specialized in the restoration
of monuments, excavational techniques and conservation of movable
finds. To the aims of the Society except funding are also included
the scientific and personal support to its members, the organization
of congresses, lectures, educational programs and exhibitions.
THE
PROJECTS OF RESTORATION 
 During
the years 1993 - 1997 a number of restoration and consolidation
works were executed on the rectangular tower no. 17 situated to
the NE of the Arcadian Gate. This restoration project (part of
the 2nd "European Support Budget") was carried out under
the supervision and sponsorship of the General Secretariat of
the Periphery of Peloponnese at Tripolis; it included expropriation
of land and arrangement of the fields around the tower, amelioration
and change of course of the main road passing through the Arcadian
Gate, as well as construction of a new road leading to the tower
terrace. It also included excavation of a group of funeral chambers
brought to light outside the Gate. All these additional works
were funded by the "I.F. Kostopoulos Foundation". In
the course of the same restoration project the Main Entrance (Propylon
B) to the sanctuary of Asklepios as well as the Ekklesiasterion
(theatrical hall) were repaired and partly restored; a cover made
of steel bars was constructed for the protection of the Artemis
cult room (no. K) on the western wing of the Asklepeion; works
aiming to the drainage of the site were also included in the project.
Since 2002 a new project (3rd European Support Budget) for the
restoration of monuments comprising works aiming to the enhancement
of the huge archaeological site of Messene as well is now in progress
and it will be completed in 2007. It is funded by the Ministry
of Culture (25%) and by the European Community (75%). It actually
deals with the unification of the various monuments in a well
organized and protected archaeological park, with the restoration
of the Arcadian Gate and the adjacent walls, the investigation
and arrangement of the theater area, the restoration of the Stadium,
the Gymnasium and the Mausoleum of the Saithidae family.
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