A Rare Glimpse: The Parthenon Emerges from Scaffolding

The Parthenon without scaffolding connected Monday successful Athens. Public Domain

For the archetypal clip since the 1970s, the magnificent Parthenon connected the Acropolis is mostly escaped of exterior scaffolding, offering visitors a breathtaking, unimpeded presumption of the past masterpiece.

The caller removal of the scaffolding—which has obscured astatine slightest portion of the temple for astir 5 decades—follows the completion of a large signifier of restoration work. For a abbreviated time, visitors passing done the Propylaea tin basal and admit the matchless harmony and sublime quality of the operation designed by Pericles’ architects, Iktinos and Kallikrates.

While the current, implicit vulnerability of the Parthenon is temporary—older scaffolds are being replaced by newer, safer structures—this enactment is nearing its end. The enactment connected the northbound and southbound walls, and the eastbound and westbound facades, including their celebrated triangular tops (pediments), is drafting to a close.

The last portion of this extended restoration involves the completion of the westbound pediment. Once the remaining past fragments and modern supports are cautiously enactment successful spot implicit the adjacent fewer months, each scaffolding volition beryllium permanently removed.

Scaffolding needed for Parthenon’s restoration

The long-running restoration effort, managed by the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA), began successful the 1970s with a superior absorption connected extortion and preservation. The task was indispensable owed to extended harm from past, failed restorations; fractures and cracks successful the marble; and aerial pollution, which necessitated moving the archetypal sculptures to a protected environment.

Since then, the scope of the task evolved beyond conscionable rescue to a broad restoration program. This enactment has successfully addressed caller structural issues caused by humanities events similar fires, explosions, and earthquakes, portion besides correcting wrongly-positioned architectural members. The extremity has been to heighten the static ratio of the monuments and amended their “readability” (making the archetypal signifier easier to understand).

To date, restoration programs for the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike are complete. Work connected the Parthenon and the Acropolis Wall remains successful progress, ensuring the preservation of these majestic structures for aboriginal generations.

Related: What Stood connected the Acropolis Before the Parthenon?