The famous Acropolis in Athens, Greece just got a facelift. The work was recently completed after 7 years of restoration efforts. The bulk of the work was done on the Propylaea, the structure that serves as the main entrance and supports the largest section of roof still in tact.
The Acropolis entrance is at least 2500 years old. The restoration work comprised of 255 marble blocks that were lifted out so that experts could remove rusted out metal bars used in previous restoration projects. Both water and humidity caused the metal to expand, resulting in minute cracks in the marble.
The Acropolis is the summit plateau rising up from the centre of the capital city and one of the most visited tourist attractions around the world. Pollution has exacerbated the deterioration of the timeless monument and the country’s Minister of Cultural Affairs refused to neglect the important structure any longer.
All the structures of the Acropolis are undergoing major restoration efforts that will take them well into 2020 and possibly beyond.