The ornate wooden central door of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, is in the process of being restored to its former glory.
Due to vandalism over the years, the varnish on the wood has peeled, revealing bare wood and black stains.
The door is adorned with carved figures of saints.
The restoration is being carried out by the Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments.
Workers are removing all layers of varnish, fixing the wood where it has been damaged and will gild the surface.
Last week, Greece’s Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni visited the church to check on the progress of the works.
It is scheduled to be completed within the next two weeks.
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation (Καθεδρικός Ναός Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου) popularly known as the "Mētrópolis", is the cathedral church of the Archbishopric of Athens and all Greece.
The cathedral was completed in 1862 with materials from over 70 abandoned or ruined churches. The interior includes notable frescoes and icons and a 24-metre-high dome.
It is a major landmark in Athens and the site of important ceremonies with national political figures present, as well as weddings and funerals of notable personalities.
