Acropolis upgrades to improve the visitor experience

The historical Acropolis in the Greek capital, is currently undergoing several safety improvements (with just a few delays), to enhance the visitor experience when the country’s archaeological site reopens within the coming weeks.

The interventions include:

• The installation of a new lift, access ramps and paths.
• Improvements to the lighting on the hill - making it safer for pedestrians, more cost-efficient, but also to illuminate the Parthenon in a more flattering light.
• Removing unnecessary parts of the scaffolding hiding the Parthenon from public view and replacing some of the cumbersome metallic supports with more discreet structures.
• Making the ticket sales system more efficient and the gift shops stocked with more attractive souvenirs.
• Upgrading the site’s electrical network and improving its protection against lightning – after four people were injured last summer during a thunderstorm.

“It is our priority for all projects planned for the Acropolis to proceed without hindrance so that we may upgrade the archaeological site’s image and the services it officers and, once completed, it can live up to visitors’ expectations,” said Greece's Culture Minister Lina Mendoni during an interview on Skai TV.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the new disabled-friendly lift will be installed at the Acropolis by June 19, 2020. Given the global pandemic and a few small delays, Mendoni noted that it should be operational by the end of July.

Since March 13, as a precautionary measure to help control the spread of the deadly virus, museums and archaeological sites in Greece have been closed. 

Mendoni did not give an exact date for when archaeological sites would reopen to the public, concluding that the decision will be announced in due time according to the recommendations of the National Organization for Public Health (EODY).