The Aegean Sea ‘Travels’ to Rome

The great exhibition of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest “AEGEAN: The Birth of the Archipelago” is hosted at the Exhibition Centre Vittoriano in Rome as of February 16.

After the successful presentation in the Eugenides Foundation in Athens, the exhibition has gained international notoriety, thereby starting a series of events around the world. The first stop of the traveling exhibition is Rome.

The presentation is organized in cooperation with the Greek Embassy in Rome, in collaboration with the Universities of Thessaloniki, Aegean and Crete and with the support of TETRAGON architectural/design company. Project director is Professor Nikos Zouros, Director of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest.

The exhibition in Rome is part of a series of Greek events organized in Rome in the framework of the World Exhibition EXPO 2015 in Italy, May 1 – October 31.

“AEGEAN ∙ The Birth of an Archipelago” is a presentation of exhibits, photographs and audiovisual material scattered across the islands of the Aegean Sea as evidence of the geological evolution of the Greek archipelago and the processes that created its islands and the ecosystem in the last 150 million years. At the same time, it offers a glimpse of the life and culture of the Aegean islands.

A key element of the exhibition is the impressive findings of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, such as petrified tree trunks, leaves and root system segments.

The exhibition in Rome is expected to contribute to the promotion of the Lesvos Petrified Forest and the various geological monuments along with the rich cultural heritage of the Aegean islands.

Coincidentally, as of this summer a direct flight that connects Rome with Mytilene is planned; an air route that will facilitate the visit to the Lesvos Petrified Forest and the Lesvos Geopark.