ATHENS.- Several of the most visited places in Greece, including the Acrpolis of Athens, decided to close to the public this Thursday, for the second consecutive day, during the busiest hours heat, due to the heat wave that affects this European country.
The Ministry of Culture reported that the tourists They will not be able to visit the Parthenon or other emblematic sites of the ancient citadel between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time.
Likewise, several archaeological sites in Crete, the Dodecanese (southeast), the Cyclades and the Peloponnese (southwest) will also remain closed during the hottest hours of the day, as part of “measures to protect against the dangers” derived from the heat, the ministry specifies.
Other world-famous places, such as Delphi, Olympia and Knossos, will remain open without interruption, according to the same source.
Hello from the heat
Greece, a Mediterranean country accustomed to dog days, has been immersed in a strong heat wave for several days, with temperatures that could reach 43C this Thursday in the Peloponnese and the center of the country, according to the National Meteorological Service (EMY).
The risk of fire is very high in eight regions, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection warned on Wednesday.
Temperatures are expected to drop starting Friday.
The partial closure of the Acropolis left many tourists disappointed. “I tried to find out what was happening, the police told us it was because of the heat wave,” said Massimo Martina, an Italian tourist. “We’ll probably try to come early (tomorrow) morning and I hope we can get in,” he added.
The Acropolis of Athens, the most visited place in Greece with almost 4 million visitors in 2023, already had to close its doors in July 2023 during an unprecedented two-week heat wave. Greece then suffered devastating fires that destroyed 175,000 hectares.
FUENTE: AFP
