The Greek government is exploring the installation of a second, more spacious elevator at the Acropolis to enhance accessibility for visitors, according to Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
In an interview with SKAI, Mendoni highlighted that over 150 accessibility initiatives are currently underway across Greece. She pointed to Monemvasia’s Upper Town as one of the more complex projects in progress, ekathimerini.com, has reported.
The existing Acropolis elevator, which was introduced in 2020 and built to handle around 200 trips per day, is now accommodating more than 2,000 visitors daily. This excessive use has led to frequent breakdowns, and the elevator has been out of service for the past two weeks. Repairs are ongoing and expected to take at least another week.
Mendoni explained that the system has suffered substantial damage due to overuse, and the required replacement parts must be sourced from abroad. Although the original Italian manufacturer attempted to carry out the repairs, they were unable to complete them due to the severity of the issues.
Discussions are underway regarding the addition of a second elevator, with a decision pending from the Central Archaeological Council on its potential location. The Onassis Foundation—which funded the original elevator—has shown interest in supporting the new project, though the Ministry of Culture is also considering implementing it as a publicly funded infrastructure initiative.
Source: ekathimerini.com
