Acropolis Upgrade and Protection a Priority, Says Culture Minister

The Parthenon on the Acropolis hill. Photo source: @Visit Greece

The Culture Ministry will use every funding tool available for the upgrade and protection of the Acropolis archaeological site and its monuments, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said during the 7th International Meeting for the Restoration of the Acropolis Monuments in Athens.

“The image of the Acropolis reflects the image of Greece,” Mendoni said during the meeting, adding that the monument’s upgrade and restoration is a government priority.

“Our priority is to use all the resources available including co-financed projects from the NSRF (or ESPA in Greek) 2014-2020 program; the Recovery Fund; national resources; and private sponsorships,” the minister said.

The new lift of the Acropolis hill.

During her speech, Mendoni presented the restoration, upgrade and protection works that have been carried out on the Acropolis hill since 2019 with the support of the Onassis Foundation.

These include the construction of a state-of-the-art lift on the north side of the Acropolis hill and specially designed paths facilitating wheelchair access; the upgrade of the monument’s lighting and anti-flooding works for the monument’s protection.

Furthermore, the culture minister referred to the ministry’s current project that sees the restoration and upgrade of the old Acropolis Museum on the hill.

A new pathway at the Acropolis with the Propylaea in the background.

The annual International Meeting for the Restoration of the Acropolis Monuments took place at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, in a hybrid form, during November 11-13.