Cory Lee, a well-known blogger, shared his experience visiting the Acropolis with his followers, stating he was “super impressed” with the accessibility for his wheelchair and for people with disabilities.
Cory Lee has visited more than 40 countries across all continents and posts videos on TikTok about his experiences and how easy travel is for people who use wheelchairs.
@curbfreecorylee Today was a great day at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece! 🇬🇷 I was super impressed with the wheelchair accessibility, especially with it being such a historic site. If you’ll be in Athens, this should definitely be a must-do! [We’re in Greece this week for the 6th annual Curb Free Group Trip, and this trip is in collaboration with @Wheel the World] ♿️ #acropolis #acropolisofathens #athensgreece #wheelchairtravel #wheelchairtrip #accessibletravel #wheelchair #wheelchairlife #wheelchairuser ♬ original sound – Cory Lee
A few days ago, he announced he would be preparing a “course” with travel tips for people with disabilities based on his experiences.
In the video he posted on TikTok about his visit to the Sacred Rock of Acropolis, Lee highlights that a lift has been installed, allowing those with mobility difficulties to quickly and easily reach the archaeological site, enjoying an “impressive” view during the ascent.
Furthermore, Lee emphasizes that the Acropolis has “really smooth, paved paths,” commenting that it was “wonderful to see,” adding that this was a recent project implemented during the pandemic. “It was a wonderful day,” he concludes.
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Construction and Reactions
Government sources note that the accessible paths at the Acropolis, initially provoking strong reactions from SYRIZA, were designed based on archaeological data, restoring the ancient markings of the Panathenaic Way, thus allowing unobstructed access to all significant points on the hill.
For their construction, spanning 500 meters, a special concrete was chosen with a cement content of only 12%, essentially an artificial stone similar to materials used for the restoration of monuments. The materials were first tested on-site by the Acropolis Monuments Restoration Committee. Moreover, the project was carried out in a manner that makes it completely reversible.
Following the installation of the accessible paths, the Ministry of Culture also ensured the installation of a special path for visually impaired individuals, further expanding accessibility to the Sacred Rock. The tactile path consists of 12 visit stops and four information stations. It was implemented in collaboration with the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece and sponsored by the Onassis Foundation.