Tourists set to visit the iconic Greek city of Athens in the next month are in for a real treat. The magnificent Parthenon on the Acropolis has had most of its exterior scaffolding removed. After at least two centuries, visitors now have the chance to see the ancient masterpiece unimpeded – something that several generations have never seen.
“At least two generations have not seen the Parthenon visually free, as scaffolding on its western side was installed twenty years ago,” said Greece’s Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni. “But to see the Parthenon completely free, as it stands today, is something that has not happened for at least 200 years.” The recent removal of the scaffolding, which has obscured at least part of the temple for nearly 50 years, comes after the completion of a major phase of restoration work.
While the current, complete exposure of the Parthenon is temporary – older scaffolding sections are set to be replaced with newer, safer structures – all is not lost for tourists unable to head to the Greek capital in the next month. The restoration is nearly complete, with work on the north and south walls, as well as the east and west facades, including their famous triangular pediments, nearing its end.
The final piece of this extensive restoration involves completing the west pediment, according to The Greek Reporter. Once the remaining ancient fragments and modern supports are installed in the next few months, all scaffolding will be permanently removed.
“This view will last for about a month, perhaps a little longer, because the scaffolding will need to be reinstalled, which is necessary. However, it will be much lighter and aesthetically much closer to the logic of the monument,” added Ms Mendoni. “They will not remain for long, though, only until the end of spring, at most the summer of 2026.”
The extensive restoration effort, managed by the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA), began in the 1970s with a focus on protection and preservation to fix damage from the past, including failed restorations, cracks in the marble and air pollution, which has caused erosion and discolouration, among other issues.
The Parthenon is Greece’s most iconic landmark, built in the 5th century BC to celebrate the Greek victory over Persian invaders during the wars between the nations. Decorated in sculptures and dedicated to the goddess Athena, it is seen as an enduring symbol of ancient Greece and democracy. It sits on top of the Acropolis, an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city, home to several ancient buildings, including the Erechtheion and Propylaea.
In the early 1800s, the 7th Earl of Elgin controversially removed many of the surviving sculptures and subsequently shipped them to England, where they are now known as the Elgin Marbles. Greece has repeatedly requested the return of the sculptures, but the British Museum – which holds them under a law that prevents their removal – maintains that it acquired them legally and that they are better preserved in its care than they would have been in Athens.