Greece's top archeological monument, the Acropolis, was partially shut Tuesday as part of emergency measures to protect visitors and workers around the country during a four-day heatwave. The Greek culture ministry shut the world-renowned site from 1 to 5 pm "for the safety of workers and visitors, owing to high temperatures."
The 2,500-year-old Acropolis, built on a rock overlooking the capital that offers little shade, draws tens of thousands of visitors daily. Last year it recorded some 4.5 million visitors, an increase of over 15 percent compared to 2023.
The four-day heatwave, confirmed by meteorologists, began on Sunday and is the second to grip Greece since late June. National weather service EMY said afternoon temperatures reached 37°C in Athens and 40°C in central Greece. Similar temperatures are expected on Wednesday, before dropping Thursday.
To protect outdoor workers, the labor ministry decreed a work stoppage from 12 to 5 pm in various parts of the country, including several islands. The stoppage mainly affected construction work and delivery riders. Officials had been forced to order similar shutdowns in the past two years in heatwave conditions.
The Greek civil protection authority has also warned of high fire risk in the greater Athens area, in central Greece and the Peloponnese peninsula on Wednesday. Greece's fire department has been dealing with up to 50 fires daily.