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After 220 years Greece completes restoration of Parthenon façade

Greece has removed the external scaffolding from the Parthenon's western face and completed the monument's back wall. This restoration restores the western pediment to its original shape. The former temple on the Athenian Acropolis was originally dedicated to the goddess Athena.

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What changed

The removal of scaffolding from the western face occurred in early June following the completion of the back wall.

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  1. Greece Completes Restoration of Parthenon Façade

    Greece has removed the external scaffolding from the Parthenon's western face and completed the monument's back wall. This restoration restores the western pediment to its original shape. The former temple on the Athenian Acropolis was originally dedicated to the goddess Athena.

    What's confirmed:

    • The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena.
    • Construction of the Parthenon began in 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC.
    • The Parthenon served as the city treasury and the treasury of the Delian League.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The external scaffolding hiding the Parthenon's western face was removed in early June.
    • The Parthenon marbles were taken by Lord Elgin in 1802 and have been in the British Museum since 1832.
    • The legality of the removal of the Parthenon marbles remains contested.
    confidence 90%

  2. Parthenon Scaffolding Removed After 220 Year Restoration

    The Parthenon is now completely free of scaffolding for the first time since the 1800s. This allows visitors a new view of the historic monument. The project restored the western pediment to its original shape.

    What's confirmed:

    • The Parthenon is now free of scaffolding for the first time in over 200 years.
    • The restoration process spanned 220 years.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • A project starting in 2017 involved quarrying, transporting, hand-carving and placing new marble blocks in a triangular pediment.
    confidence 90%

  3. Parthenon Western Pediment Fully Reassembled

    The western pediment of the Parthenon is visible without scaffolding for the first time since the 1800s. The monument is now completely free of scaffolding. This completes a restoration process spanning 220 years.

    What's confirmed:

    • The western pediment of the Parthenon is fully reassembled.
    • Scaffolding has been removed from the monument.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Scaffolding had been present at the site for 50 years.
    • The western pediment was last fully reassembled in the 1800s.
    confidence 90%

  4. Greece Completes Restoration of Parthenon Western Façade

    Greece has finished restoring the western pediment of the Parthenon. This work returns the monument's western side to its fullest form for the first time in 220 years. External scaffolding has been permanently removed from the site.

    What's confirmed:

    • The western pediment of the Parthenon is restored for the first time in 220 years.
    • Restorers installed two new marble blocks into long-empty gaps on the temple.
    • External scaffolding has been permanently removed from the monument.
    • The monument attracts over 4.5 million visitors every year.
    confidence 100%