Tourists visiting the Acropolis in Athens will soon be able to enjoy a view that has not been seen for a very long time – a clear, uninterrupted look at the Parthenon.
For the first time in 20 years, the scaffolding will be removed from the iconic temple of Athena, allowing visitors an unobstructed view of the structure. The construction covering had previously been installed as part of an ongoing campaign by conservationists to restore and maintain the western facade.
Meanwhile, this latest exposure will mark the first time in 200 years that the UNESCO heritage site is completely free of any type of construction scaffolding. "It’s as if they are seeing a different monument, a completely different monument," said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni in an interview with local media.
The optimal view is from the western side, where the removal of the scaffolding will reveal the street-level perspective. Unfortunately, the break from scaffolding will be brief, as a new framework will be installed along the western side of the Parthenon in about a month. Fortunately, this time the scaffolding will be "lighter and much closer aesthetically to the logic of the monument," Mendoni explained. The conservation project will continue only until the beginning of next summer, after which the covering will finally be removed, and "people will truly be able to see it free," she said.
The Parthenon, built in the 5th century BCE in honor of Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, is the centerpiece of the Acropolis, which is the most popular historical site in Greece, attracting about 4.5 million visitors in 2024.
In 2023, the Greek government tried to curb overcrowding by imposing a visitor cap, allowing only 20,000 people to visit the site each day. Now, travelers are required to book an entrance ticket in advance for a specific time slot.