Parthenon's Western Facade Restored to Completeness After 220 Years
Quick Look
- The Parthenon's western side has been restored with two new marble blocks, making it appear whole for the first time in 220 years.
- Culture Minister Lina Mendoni described the sight as 'truly stunning,' emphasizing the restoration's role in revealing the monument's unique proportions.
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Why It Matters
The Parthenon, a 25-century-old monument in Athens, has undergone long-term restoration projects to address damage from war, weather, and looting. The western side's broken outline was a notable area of concern.
Visitors to the Acropolis can now see the Parthenon’s western side looking whole for the first time in about 220 years.
Officially unveiled Thursday, restorers have slotted two new marble blocks into long-empty gaps high on the temple’s western end – the view visitors see when they first enter the ancient monument in Athens.
The 25-century-old monument overlooking the Greek capital attracted about 4.6 million visitors last year. Long-term restoration projects address damage caused by war, weather and looting, including the broken outline of the western side.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni described the sight after the latest restoration as “truly stunning”.
The two new stones, she said, do more than fill a gap.
“They allow the unique proportions and the geometric perfection of the Parthenon’s western face to be seen once again,” she said.
