ACROPOLIS FACILITIES IMPROVED: THE SYMBOL OF DEMOCRACY, MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL

The Acropolis, seen anew. Seen better, and by more of us.

Photo: Andreas Simopoulos

Aerial photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b86q3ko07aes7zl/AAAksjDlD4d2AdyZwHG_8V76a?dl=0

The Acropolis – the embodiment of democracy and everything it has achieved – is now a beacon that shines on us all, lighting a path forward for a society that inspires, and is inspired by its citizens across the centuries. Thursday, December 3 – the International Day of Persons with Disabilities – saw the handover by the Greek State of upgraded Acropolis facilities for persons with movement difficulties, donated and delivered by the Onassis Foundation. It was a symbolic gesture on this most symbolic of monuments, one that stresses the importance of equal opportunities for all.

Following the delivery of the new Acropolis lighting at the end of September, the Onassis Foundation is assisting the Greek state once more, handing over – in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture – yet another major infrastructure project that has taken a holistic approach, incorporating a state-of-the-art inclined elevator and the extensive renovation of existing disabled walkways, as well as two cutting edge golf carts that will assist visitors with movement disabilities.

As noted by the President of the Onassis Foundation: “The Acropolis conveys values in which the Onassis Foundation believes: a respect for cultural heritage, the democratization of knowledge, and open access to culture for all. The walkways for persons with movement disabilities of all kinds, as well as the operational inclined elevator – works we undertook in collaboration with the Greek state – are symbolic in ways that befit our times. Times in need of more light, of the kind shone by the new lighting of the Acropolis.”

The new state-of-the-art inclined elevator was constructed by the internationally renowned Italian company MASPERO ELEVATORI, with certification by TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD). 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.

The works also include the renovation of two existing disabled walkways, which extend out from the inclined elevator access point to pass by the Propylaea and reach the South Slope, restoring the ancient traces of the Panathenaic Way. Out of respect for the heritage site and its monuments, the entire project followed the findings of a special study for the restoration of the grounds of the space, conducted by the scholar, and President of the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments, Manolis Korres.

The design and delivery of the works were undertaken to meet the needs of people of all ages from all over the world, all the while ensuring that the monuments were safe and properly protected throughout the process, with a supervisory team of Culture Ministry architects, engineers, and archeologists on hand at all times.

The handover of these works was carried out by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni, and the President of the Onassis Foundation Anthony S. Papadimitriou. Giorgos Didaskalou, Secretary General of Culture, was also in attendance, as was the President of the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments, Manolis Korres, who also gave the Prime Minster a tour of the citadel.

Culture concerns society as a whole. By changing the city, we ourselves are changed. For the Onassis Foundation, equal access, equal rights, and democracy are matters of culture and education, and this is why the Foundation was only too happy to fulfil the Greek state’s request for assistance with regard to the improvement of both the lighting, and disabled facilities on the Acropolis.