Hosios Loukas Monastery, today still functioning as a working monastery, is one of the most important Byzantine architectural complexes in Greece, and indeed in the world. After it was bombed during World War II it was restored by the Directorate of Restoration in the 1960s, but remained closed for around 25 years.
ELLINIKI ETAIRIA (Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage) recognised its international value and responded to the challenges by completing a series of projects. In 1982, the roof of the Church of the Theotokos (10th century), the oldest church in the Hosios Loukas Monastery, was successfully waterproofed. During the period 1989-1991, on the initiative of ELLET, the Hosios Loukas Monastery Refectory was restored and the building was turned into a museum of Byzantine sculptures from the area.
Hosios Loukas Monastery Refectory (11th century) is unique in Greece both for its size and for its antiquity.
The restoration study was prepared by Professor Ch. Bouras, and the museum exhibition was organised by the 1st Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities.
The project was funded by members of ELLET in memory of Laskarina Boura, and also by the Society for the Protection of the Greek Heritage in the U.S.
