The Ministry of Culture has issued a clarification regarding the malfunction of the Acropolis elevator on Sunday, stating that the issue arose due to a power outage caused by Public Power Corporation (DEI) maintenance work.
“On October 12, 2025, during the celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Liberation of Athens from German occupation, a flag-raising ceremony was held at the archaeological site of the Acropolis and its slopes, featuring an honor guard from the Presidential Guard. For individuals with mobility challenges, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens ensured the presence of a specialist in case of any technical issue,” the Ministry stated in response to a related inquiry.
According to the Ministry, at 10:40 a.m. one phase of the site’s power supply was interrupted due to ongoing DEI works, causing the elevator to go out of service. Despite efforts by the technician and support staff, the issue could not be resolved before the site closed for the day.
The Ministry also emphasized that the inclined elevator was specifically designed to accommodate wheelchair users and people with significant mobility issues. However, it is heavily used by visitors who report general difficulty with the climb, resulting in overuse that requires frequent maintenance and sometimes leads to operational problems.
“Excessive use by individuals not originally intended as the elevator’s primary users contributes to the wear and tear and increases the likelihood of malfunctions,” the statement concluded.
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