Acropolis Gets Wheelchair Lift, Now Accessible to Disabled Visitors

Visitors with mobility issues will now have access to the Acropolis monuments in Athens thanks to a new lift and specially designed paths facilitating wheelchair access.

Describing it as “an emblematic project”, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurated the lift on Thursday, International Day of Disabled Persons. 

Onassis Foundation President Antonis Papadimitriou, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

“Today, we inaugurate the new lift and also the designed routes in order to make the Acropolis Hill accessible to everyone,” the prime minister said.

The modern lift, which replaces a repeatedly malfunctioning elevator, is located on the north face of the Acropolis along the ancient promenade and will transport wheelchair users and individuals with mobility issues to the top of the hill.

The Acropolis lift: before and after.

New pathways

The specially-designed and renovated 500-meter-long and four-meter-wide pathways also provide access to the 5th century BC World Heritage site.

Together with Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and Antonis Papadimitriou, president of the Onassis Foundation, which funded the project, Mitsotakis said it demonstrates that the Greek state can work with private entities that “share the same vision and philosophy” to “deliver to the world a very important project”.

A new pathway at the Acropolis with the Propylaea in the background.

He went on to refer to the importance of ensuring “accessibility for everyone and everywhere”, which is behind the government’s national plan for the rights of people with disabilities to which he is personally committed. 

On her part and in response last month to reactions concerning the repair of the special paths, Mendoni said the work was supervised by restoration expert Manolis Korres, a civil engineer, professor of architectural history and head of the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA).

Papadimitriou said the Acropolis was a “monument of universal significance” for all people and “a bright beacon of optimism”. 

A new pathway leading to the Parthenon.

The new lift and pathways as well as a new lighting system showcasing the landmark site and its surrounding monuments unveiled in September are part of an overhaul project aimed at making one of the world’s most visited sites accessible to all.

It should be reminded that the Acropolis is currently closed to the public due to Covid-19 restrictions, but it’s expected to reopen when a national lockdown lifts on Dec.14.