A highly significant milestone in the work of protecting and highlighting the monuments of the Acropolis marks the completion of the restoration of the western pediment of the Parthenon and the final removal of the external scaffolding from the western side of the monument.

For the first time in approximately 220 years, the western face of the Parthenon is being presented by the Ministry of Culture in its most complete possible form, as the placement of two upright blocks in the empty positions of the western pediment and the completion of the restoration of the supporting wall restore the architectural unity of the pediment.

Before / Archive photo

The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated:
“Just a few months ago we were talking about the first, after decades, unobstructed view of the Parthenon without the external scaffolding covering its western side. Today we are speaking about the completion of an extremely demanding restoration intervention, through which the western pediment of the Parthenon is restored to its fullest form after approximately 220 years. The spectacle is truly stunning. The pediment, which generations of Greek citizens and visitors from around the world had grown accustomed to seeing incomplete, is regaining its architectural unity. The two new upright blocks placed in its empty positions do not merely restore a morphological gap. They allow the unique proportions and geometric perfection of the western face of the Parthenon to be highlighted once again.

This is a project of exceptional difficulty, carried out by the scientists, engineers, craftsmen, and staff of the Acropolis Restoration Service with exemplary precision and dedication. Its successful completion once again demonstrates that Greece, the Ministry of Culture, and its staff have ensured that the Greek restoration school is a global leader and ranks among the best internationally. Today, we are seeing the western pediment of the Parthenon as we have not seen it for two centuries. It is a moment of historical significance for the monument, for the Acropolis, and for world culture. A moment that fills us with pride, but also with responsibility to continue with the same consistency the great work of protecting and promoting the supreme symbol of Western Civilization.”

According to a statement by the Ministry of Culture, the restoration of the upright blocks of the tympanum was one of the most complex interventions in recent years for the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA). The project required highly specialized technical solutions and absolute precision at all stages, from processing the new marble to lifting and placing it on the monument.

The large upright block of the western pediment was restored to its original geometry through the joining of surviving ancient fragments and supplementation with new marble, while the second was constructed entirely from new marble. For the final placement of the stones, a new scaffolding system was installed, meeting the strictest modern safety standards and visually adapted to the monument.

The completion of the restoration program of the western face was carried out within a project funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund. The works were executed by specialized staff of YSMA under the supervision of the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments (ESMA), confirming the high level of expertise of the Greek restoration school.