After two centuries, you can finally visit the Parthenon in Athens free of scaffolding (but only for a few days)

After almost two centuries of restorations and interventions, the Parthenon in Athens returns to show itself in its most authentic form. For the first time in over 200 years, the famous temple dedicated to the goddess Athena is completely free of scaffolding, offering visitors an unobstructed view of classical Greece’s most iconic icon.

The removal of the scaffolding, part of a vast conservation project for the Acropolis, marks a symbolic milestone in the monument’s long history, which began in the 5th century BC. In fact, over the last twenty years, the western side of the Parthenon has been covered by a dense metal structure necessary to consolidate the columns and restore the sections damaged by time and pollution.

Now, for a short time, the temple appears free and majestic. However, the work is not finished: new scaffolding, lighter and more harmonious, will be reinstalled by November to complete the maintenance work. The restoration project should be completed by next summer, when the monument will finally be visible in its entirety and in conditions of optimal stability.

A world heritage under pressure

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Acropolis of Athens is today one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world, with around 4.5 million tourists in 2024 alone. To combat overtourism, the Greek government has introduced daily access limits: only 20,000 visitors per day can climb the sacred hill, with reservations required and tickets costing an average of 30 euros.

In addition to physical restoration, archaeologists are also working on the digital front. At the University of Oxford, scholar Juan de Lara has developed a virtual model of the Parthenon, recreating the original look of the interior and offering a new immersive perspective on the temple. For those who visit Athens in recent months, the sight of the Parthenon free from scaffolding represents a historic event: a rare encounter between beauty, memory and the rebirth of ancient heritage.

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