Galery

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Anastasia Balezdrova

Today the wardens of the archaeological site decided to close the Acropolis because of the high temperature . As early as 1.30 pm they stopped selling tickets and closed the entrance. On the side board they had stuck a note in Greek and in English, to inform that the decision of the Greek Union of Wardens of Antique Sites aims to protect visitors and employees from the heat. The spelling of the note was the clearest evidence of the fact of how badly affected the wardens are by the heat.

The temperatures in Greece have been very high for a week now and according to meteorologists, today is the hottest day since the beginning of the summer. Therefore, the wardens of the Acropolis also thought that they couldclose it from 2 pm until the end of the working day. The interesting thing in the case is, that the responsible Ministry of Culture had not taken part in the enactment of this decision. Syndicalists have only informed the department's management.

"There is no problem. Just, according to the National meteorology service this is the hottest summer day. The temperature in the shade, up the hill, exceeds 45 degrees Celsius. The Union decided to close the Acropolis as a preventive measure for the benefit of visitors and personnel. Tomorrow the site will be open, as every other day, from 8 am to 8 pm", said for GRReporter warden Manolis Papadakis.

At the same time dozens of tourists were walking on the way to the "Holy Hill". They arrived sweaty and exhausted to find out the unpleasant fact, that they won't be able to see the Acropolis today. Some of them were carrying their suitcases.

"What they are doing is not good at all. Instead of waiting at the airport for five hours until the flight to the island, where we are going to have our holidays, we decided to come and see the Acropolis. And what do we find out? The Acropolis is closed, despite the announced working hours from 8 am to 8 pm. Of course, acts like this show why the country has arrived at this situation. As I said to the wardens themselves, they should let us make our own decisions whether to climb the Acropolis, or not. I understand it is hot, but nevertheless, we are the ones to decide.", said Evangelia, a tourist from Australia, and a member of a big Greek Diaspora.