Something remarkable has happened at the Acropolis – something that hasn’t been seen since the early 19th century. The restoration of the Parthenon’s west pediment is now officially complete, and for the first time in approximately 220 years, visitors can admire the monument in its entirety, free of scaffolding and free of gaps.
The restoration of the Parthenon’s west pediment: what was done
The Ministry of Culture placed two upright blocks – known as orthostates – in the empty positions of the west pediment, and completed the restoration of the rear wall, fully reinstating the architectural unity of the pediment. One orthostate was restored to its original geometry by joining surviving ancient fragments supplemented with new marble, while the second was crafted entirely from new marble.
The result speaks for itself: for the first time in two full centuries, the west pediment stands complete and unobstructed, presented in the greatest possible state of wholeness.
Lina Mendoni, Minister of CultureToday, we are talking about the completion of an exceptionally demanding restoration intervention, thanks to which the west pediment of the Parthenon is presented in its most complete form in approximately 220 years. The sight is truly breathtaking.
A project that demanded absolute precision
Behind this historic moment lies one of the most demanding restoration interventions of recent years. The work was carried out by the specialized staff of the Acropolis Monuments Conservation Service, under the supervision of the committee, and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
Every stage of the process required specialized technical solutions and absolute precision – from the processing of new marble pieces to their lifting and final placement on the monument. A modern scaffolding system with strict safety specifications was also used, designed to blend aesthetically with the monument’s surroundings.
The people who made history
This achievement would not have been possible without a dedicated team of specialists. Architect V. Manidaki led the architectural study and supervised the pediment orthostates, K. Skaris oversaw the restoration of the rear wall, and civil engineer A. Vrouba was responsible for the structural study and supervision. Alongside them, dozens of technicians and YSMA staff gave their very best to return the Parthenon to its former glory.
