The Acropolis temple in Athens, Greece, is temporarily closing down.
According to Timeout, there have been frequent incidents of tourists fainting while waiting to see the temple in temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). In response, authorities announced on the 12th that they would temporarily close the tourist spot during the daytime.
The Acropolis temple is a famous tourist spot in Athens, attracting about 3 million visitors annually. However, the combination of large crowds and unprecedented heat has raised a red flag for the Greek tourism industry.
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Along with most other temples, the Parthenon, a quintessential landmark of Athens, is situated on rocky terrain more than 150 meters (492 feet) above sea level. Visitors are directly exposed to intense sunlight without shade to escape the sun. The landscape heats up quickly under direct sunlight, leading to restrictions on entry from noon until 5 p.m. to ensure the safety of visitors.
The recent closure of the Acropolis Temple is not the first time. Last year, during a two-week heatwave in July, the management company of the Acropolis Temple initiated a strike. Union officials stated, “We decided to strike to protect the health of security personnel and visitors.”
To address the problems caused by the intense heat, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Tourism distributes water to waiting tourists. Currently, the Acropolis is flexibly adjusting its closing time depending on the temperature, and detailed information can be found on the official Acropolis website.
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