Photo: Gavriil Papadiotis

The Acropolis becomes brighter and more accessible

A project donated by the Onassis Foundation

The Acropolis: one of our civilization’s most important monuments. A living symbol that has stood the test of time, and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Athens. Each of us has taken a different path up onto its rock, but all roads in the city lead there. To a place that can make us forget the surrounding urban landscape, forget even the times we live in. The Acropolis stands out for its harmony, beauty, and human scale. In the words of Ernest Renan, taken from his “Prayer on the Acropolis”: “Il y a un lieu où la perfection existe; il n'y en a pas deux.” There is only one place where perfection exists.

These marbles, and everything written on them, mark not only the fortunes of this land across 2,500 years, but also the intellectual heritage of all humankind.

Anthony S. Papadimitriou, President of the Onassis Foundation

Acropolis in a whole new light

The Project commissioning

On October 23, 2019 Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met at the Maximus Mansion with Antonis S. Papadimitriou, President of the Onassis Foundation, regarding the Foundation’s contribution to upgrading the infrastructure on the Hill of the Acropolis. During the meeting, at which Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and the Onassis Foundation’s Director of Culture Afroditi Panagiotakou were also present, Mr. Papadimitriou informed the Prime Minister of the Foundation’s decision to fund the renovation and upgrading of the night illumination of the archaeological site.During the meeting, Mr Papadimitriou said: "For the Onassis Foundation, everything is an issue of education. The Acropolis, as a monument that expresses Athenian Democracy, cannot help but comprise a priority. The monument continues to stand there, with or without us. But we have an obligation to renew its symbolism, according to the needs of the age. In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Onassis Foundation gives residents of Athens a new incentive to rediscover their city."

A new lighting

These illuminations breathe new life into the marbles on the Acropolis. But it’s not just about esthetics: the project is also a major upgrade of the existing infrastructure, bringing the electric power system and automated lighting control systems right up to date. It highlights the fortification walls, the Acropolis rock as a whole, and the volumes and geometries of each monument from every possible viewpoint. The marbles – now whiter than ever before – reflect every facet, every geometric shape, and every natural material in order to accentuate each monument’s decorative reliefs.

This new perspective lights fourteen landmarks: the Acropolis rock, the fortification walls, the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Ancient Theater of Dionysos, the Stoa of Eumenes, the Shrine of Dionysos Eleutherios, and another five monuments illuminated for the first time – the Monument of Thrasyllos, the choragic columns, the Asklepieion, the Cave Sanctuaries of Apollo and Aglauros / Klepsydra, and the Shrine of Aphrodite.

Highlights from the preparation

A more eco-friendly Acropolis

All electrical switchboards have been changed, and the existing HID lights replaced with 609 cutting-edge, high color fidelity LED lighting fixtures (that’s 40% fewer than before) as part of the technical upgrade, with a view to the new installation running without issue for over twenty years. The new lighting fixtures have minimal maintenance costs, and the newly installed system delivers energy savings of more than 65%. Light pollution has also been reduced through improved target alignment with the monuments.

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The official launch

In a time filled with darkness and uncertainty, all we can do is seek out the light. On Wednesday, September 30, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports presents the new Acropolis illuminations, a project donated and realized by the Onassis Foundation. The new lighting of the Acropolis attracts the attention of people the world over, sending out a message of hope and joy. Athens by night is changing. A new light shines from the Acropolis.

The result is 50.000 views during the live stream and 400.000 views on the Acropolis campaign videos. The #AcropolisLights becomes the No1 trending topic in Greece for a whole day.

Highlights from the official launch event

The official ceremony

The elegant ceremony at the Pnyx, on the Hill of the Nymphs, was honored by the attendance of the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Konstantinos Tasoulas, and the President of the Onassis Foundation Anthony S. Papadimitriou.

Photo: Andreas Simopoulos

An audiovisual event full of light

The launch ceremony included a short audio-visual happening, lasting minutes, with lighting design by Eleftheria Deko, video direction by Alexandros Maragos, and original video music score by Stavros Gasparatos, all in collaboration with Cristos Sarris of the Onassis Foundation. Beams of light rose out from the Acropolis, sending a bright message to all, before the new white lighting scheme was officially presented to the public.

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The Symbol of Democracy, More Accessible for All

Following the delivery of the new Acropolis lighting, the Onassis Foundation – in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture – is now handing over major improvement works to the citadel’s disabled facilities, funded exclusively by the Onassis Foundation.Thursday, December 3 saw the handover to the Greek State of the second set of works improving disabled facilities on the Acropolis, with the installation of a new state-of-the-art inclined elevator and the renovation of two existing disabled walkways, all donated and delivered by the Onassis Foundation.

Today, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we find ourselves before a monument of universal value – a shining beacon of optimism. Here on the Acropolis, we see the Onassis Foundation’s respect for, and active interest in the preservation of cultural heritage, the democratization of knowledge, open access, and equal rights.

Anthony S. Papadimitriou, President of the Onassis Foundation

Highlights from the handover ceremony

The handover ceremony

The handover ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, and the President of the Onassis Foundation Anthony S. Papadimitriou, who were given a tour of the works by the Secretary General of Culture Giorgos Didaskalou and the President of the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments Manolis Korres.

A few words about the project

The new state-of-the-art inclined elevator, with cerfification by TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD), was constructed by the internationally renowned Italian company MASPERO ELEVATORI and offers safe transport to and from the monuments. Technologically advanced, the elevator is aesthetically and operationally first-class – a comfortable, quick and safe form of transport providing easy access to the Acropolis from promenade level. Its pioneering engineering makes it unique in its class worldwide – it is the only inclined elevator whose angle of ascent approaches the vertical, while its glass enclosure allows for unparalleled panoramic views.