As an unprecedented June heatwave grips Greece, the famed Acropolis in Athens has been forced to close during peak hours to protect tourists from dangerous temperatures.
Greece is known for its scorching summer heat, but this year, the country is facing its earliest recorded heatwave in history. Temperatures are expected to soar to a blistering 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday and Thursday, prompting authorities to take drastic measures to protect citizens and tourists alike.
The Athens Acropolis, one of Greece’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been forced to close its doors to visitors from midday to 5:00 PM (09:00 AM to 2:00 PM GMT) as the heatwave intensifies. The Ministry of Culture announced the closure, stating that the measure could be extended if the extreme temperatures persist.
Meteorologists have noted the unprecedented nature of this heatwave, with state TV meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos pointing out that in the 20th century, Greece never experienced a heatwave before June 19. However, in the 21st century, several heatwaves have occurred, though none as early as June 15.
The Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry has issued warnings of a very high risk of fires in the Attica region surrounding Athens. In response, schools in several regions, including the capital, will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday. The Labor Ministry has also advised public-sector employees to work from home and ordered a pause on outdoor work, including food delivery, from midday to 5:00 PM until Thursday.
Workers across the city are feeling the impact of the heatwave. Fotis Pappous, a 46-year-old electrician, started his workday at 6:00 AM on his employer’s orders to avoid the most dangerous temperatures. “With this kind of heat, it would be too risky otherwise,” he said while working near Athens’s central Syntagma Square.
For those in the tourism industry, the heatwave presents a significant challenge. Elisavet Robou, a kebab store owner in the bustling Plaka district, noted that despite the heat, they have no choice but to continue working. “It’s the start of the tourist season,” she said, adding that they are taking precautions such as using air conditioning and fans, and allowing staff to take breaks.
[gallery size="large" ids="263554,263553"]
The public transport authority has opened an air-conditioned hall at Syntagma metro station to provide the public with a refuge from the heat. In Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, teachers and students reported difficult conditions during annual school exams. Andreas Karagiannis, a 52-year-old mathematician and examiner, said that while fans were used, there was no air conditioning in the exam rooms. Yiannis Theodoridis, a 17-year-old student, argued that exams should not have been held under such conditions.
This is not the first time the Acropolis has been forced to close due to extreme heat. In July of last year, the site was closed during a two-week heatwave that was unprecedented in its duration. Despite the challenges posed by the heat, the Acropolis remains a popular tourist destination, with a record number of nearly four million visitors last year, boosted in part by the arrival of cruise ships at the nearby port of Piraeus.
As climate change continues to impact weather patterns worldwide, Greece and other countries will need to adapt to increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves. The closure of the Acropolis serves as a stark reminder of the tangible effects of the climate crisis and the importance of taking action to mitigate its consequences.
With AFP
Greece is known for its scorching summer heat, but this year, the country is facing its earliest recorded heatwave in history. Temperatures are expected to soar to a blistering 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday and Thursday, prompting authorities to take drastic measures to protect citizens and tourists alike.
The Athens Acropolis, one of Greece’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been forced to close its doors to visitors from midday to 5:00 PM (09:00 AM to 2:00 PM GMT) as the heatwave intensifies. The Ministry of Culture announced the closure, stating that the measure could be extended if the extreme temperatures persist.
Meteorologists have noted the unprecedented nature of this heatwave, with state TV meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos pointing out that in the 20th century, Greece never experienced a heatwave before June 19. However, in the 21st century, several heatwaves have occurred, though none as early as June 15.
The Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry has issued warnings of a very high risk of fires in the Attica region surrounding Athens. In response, schools in several regions, including the capital, will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday. The Labor Ministry has also advised public-sector employees to work from home and ordered a pause on outdoor work, including food delivery, from midday to 5:00 PM until Thursday.
Workers across the city are feeling the impact of the heatwave. Fotis Pappous, a 46-year-old electrician, started his workday at 6:00 AM on his employer’s orders to avoid the most dangerous temperatures. “With this kind of heat, it would be too risky otherwise,” he said while working near Athens’s central Syntagma Square.
For those in the tourism industry, the heatwave presents a significant challenge. Elisavet Robou, a kebab store owner in the bustling Plaka district, noted that despite the heat, they have no choice but to continue working. “It’s the start of the tourist season,” she said, adding that they are taking precautions such as using air conditioning and fans, and allowing staff to take breaks.
[gallery size="large" ids="263554,263553"]
The public transport authority has opened an air-conditioned hall at Syntagma metro station to provide the public with a refuge from the heat. In Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, teachers and students reported difficult conditions during annual school exams. Andreas Karagiannis, a 52-year-old mathematician and examiner, said that while fans were used, there was no air conditioning in the exam rooms. Yiannis Theodoridis, a 17-year-old student, argued that exams should not have been held under such conditions.
This is not the first time the Acropolis has been forced to close due to extreme heat. In July of last year, the site was closed during a two-week heatwave that was unprecedented in its duration. Despite the challenges posed by the heat, the Acropolis remains a popular tourist destination, with a record number of nearly four million visitors last year, boosted in part by the arrival of cruise ships at the nearby port of Piraeus.
As climate change continues to impact weather patterns worldwide, Greece and other countries will need to adapt to increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves. The closure of the Acropolis serves as a stark reminder of the tangible effects of the climate crisis and the importance of taking action to mitigate its consequences.
With AFP
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