The Acropolis lift, installed in 2020 to enable people with disabilities to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site in Athens, is out of order and undergoing urgent repairs, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni confirmed this week.
The lift has been out of operation for the past two weeks and will remain closed for at least another week, pending the arrival of necessary spare parts, said Mendoni speaking to local media.
“The elevator is closed and will definitely remain closed for another week because repairs must be made to ensure the absolute safety of those who use it,” Minister Mendoni said following an on-site inspection.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni
The Acropolis is the country’s most visited cultural attraction. Minister Mendoni acknowledged that the lift was initially designed to accommodate 200 uses per day, based on 2020 visitor estimates. However, current daily visitor numbers have surged past 2,000, placing unanticipated strain on the system.
“In 2020, the design foresaw 200 lifts per day. Today, the number of visitors far exceeds that figure,” she noted, adding that on the day of her inspection visit, the Acropolis welcomed 18,500 visitors, 15-20% of whom chose to use the lift.
Mendoni went on to reiterate that the Greek government’s priority has always been to ensure accessibility for all and referred to upgrades being implemented at many sites and museums across the country.
In the meantime, the Fire Department is accommodating visitors who had pre-booked tickets and require assistance reaching the top of the Acropolis Hill.
The minister went on to reveal that installing a second, larger lift is now being considered to meet the increased demand.
The current elevator, which replaced an older, frequently malfunctioning lift, was unveiled by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in December 2020 as part of a broader initiative to improve accessibility to Greece’s historic sites and landmarks.
