Cultural Heritage

CULTURAL HERITAGE

1. The HMoD aims to preserve and promote the historical and cultural environment. Within this framework, the Armed Forces will have to:

a. Secure the integrity of locations with historical and cultural heritage from military activities,
b. Evaluate the possible impact on monuments, during the planning and execution stage of works and activities serving the aims of National Defence,
c. Promote, after proper recording, restoration and maintenance, the means, buildings, and areas of historical and cultural importance, under the ownership of the Armed Forces (historic ships – aircraft and other military assets, forts, museums, lighthouses,etc.). To this end, we encourage co-operation with the state and scientific bodies, as well as with local authorities.

2. Based on the above, the need to inform all interested parties about all areas of historical and cultural importance, even in peacetime, is justified in order to ensure that military operations can be carried out with the least possible damage to the environment. The following are primary areas of historical and cultural importance::

a. Designated marine areas of archaeological interest, whether officially recognized by the State or not.
b. Naval wrecks (Warships) and materials belonging to the Armed Forces that have sunk for over 50 years are designated Cultural Assets i.e Historical and Listed Monuments; collectively they constitute the Underwater cultural heritage of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

3. Given the above, the General Staffs should assume responsibility by mapping the areas of historical and cultural importance in all printed and electronic products of the Hellenic Hydrographic Service and the Hellenic Military Geographical Service thus providing detailed information about protected areas of national – European and global importance to all potential users.