The Ministry of Culture, as part of its strategic plan to improve the services offered in archaeological sites and museums, is developing new infrastructure at the archaeological site of Phaistos, aiming at universal accessibility for visitors and ensuring fire and lightning protection. The project, with a total budget of €2,500,000, is part of the Regional Operational Programme Crete - NSRF 2021–2027.

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated:
"The comprehensive upgrade of the Phaistos archaeological site focuses on the protection and enhancement of an iconic and significant monument. We are creating infrastructure for universal accessibility, while also protecting the site by reinforcing the fire protection system and installing a lightning protection network, using modern safety mechanisms and alert systems.
Phaistos, along with five other Minoan palaces, is included in the serial nomination for UNESCO World Heritage listing, which Greece is submitting for 2025. Our goal is to shape a modern, functional, and safe archaeological site through these planned interventions.
Moreover, within this year, under the National Strategic Plan of the Ministry for tackling the impacts of the climate crisis, the management plan for the Phaistos archaeological site will be completed, since it is one of Crete’s most visited cultural destinations.
I thank once again the Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, for our steady, creative, and effective collaboration.”

At Phaistos, the firefighting water supply network is being upgraded by extending and reinforcing the existing system. Key factors include reduced rainfall, more frequent wildfires, the expansion of the visitor area, construction of new buildings, and the improvement of current fire safety infrastructure.
The pumping station will be expanded, and the fire network will be upgraded with new equipment (10 water cannons and 26 fire hose reels), ensuring efficient coverage. Water will be supplied from the Faneromeni dam and the Festos Municipality’s water supply network, securing uninterrupted flow. The new fire protection complex will be installed at the existing pumping station.

The archaeological site, vulnerable due to its proximity to Mt. Psiloritis and the lack of lightning protection measures, requires immediate intervention. Two shelter areas are proposed: the existing canopy at the ticket booth (capacity 270 people) and a new infrastructure shelter (capacity 400 people). It is also essential to protect the fire-fighting pumping station to ensure it remains functional during extreme weather.

For visitor alerts in emergencies, a loudspeaker system will be installed at four strategic points within the archaeological site. The chosen locations aim to cover the visitor areas, paths, and parking lot as effectively as possible.