The Palace of Nestor in Pylos is one of the most significant and well preserved monuments of the Mycenaean Civilization. The new steel canopy covering the archaeological site replaced an old canopy which was more than 50 years old and exhibited serious structural problems which were mainly related to durability issues. The new canopy design incorporated the main principal of underlining the importance of the archaeological site, respecting at the same time its monumental character. The architectural form of the canopy has been created taking into consideration the effectiveness of the structural solution, arriving at a dynamic result while retaining at the same time the required simplicity.

The structure has a rectangular plan of 59.50m x 51.50m and consists of steel frames spaced at 8.50m with an unsupported span of 41.50m while the two beam ends are supported by trusses. The curved shape of the canopy resulted to a very effective and slender structural form.

To avoid any interference with the archaeological site the visitors corridors are fully suspended from the main structure.

 

Architectural Design: x2 architecture, K. Kyriakides & Associates S.A.

Structural Design: PMA Engineering

E/M Design: EL.T.E.ME. ltd