OBJECTIVES

The mosaics are in particular need of protection; they are an essential architectural segment of the archaeological/architectural remains. It is important to ensure protective constructions, i.e. “roofs” over the mosaics which will ensure their long-term preservation. The remains of the villa are endangered by the influences of the groundwater and the tides of the sea which have devastating effects primarily on the mosaics; the entire southern part of the object needs resolving the issue of groundwater and rescuing from back-water which will stop the further decay of the structures. After having been unearthed, some materials (e.g. mortar) have been exposed to decay, whereas the entire monument, easily accessible by foot, is subject to all sorts of vandalism such as theft, graffiti, unauthorised presence on the site etc. The visitors, too, can cause damage to the site (on land and in water); the site is in urgent need of constructed pathways on which the visitors may move around the park.

Granted proper financial stimulation of the financial mechanism EGP, the applicant and its partners wish to make all necessary steps within the proposed project, which will be necessary for the establishing of a modern archaeological park (including the underwater section of the site), which essentially calls for:

- restoration, conservation in protection of the archaeological site Simonov zaliv, thus enabling an integrated presentation of the monument, i.e. the living quarters of the Roman maritime villa and the adjacent (underwater) port which includes the establishing of the first underwater archaeological park in Slovenia;

- enhancing and improving the accessibility of the monument; the condition for this is its integrated presentation and properly updated of equipment, needed for its interpretation (mainly by establishing a modern interpretation centre), as well as a public programme for the visitors with special needs and underwater tours of the port, and, last but not least, an internet application of a tour guide;

- education and training in the field of archaeological didactics and enhancing public awareness on the meaning of archaeological heritage with the aid of a public programme of experimental archaeology;

- planning tourist itineraries connecting archaeological sites of the Slovene coast, thus enhancing the appeal of this particular area in the segment of archaeological tourism.