The Greek Ministry of Culture has announced the completion of the latest phase of the Parthenon’s restoration, during which new marble slabs were installed on the western pediment. Thus, for the first time in approximately 220 years, the western façade of the temple is nearly complete. These works have been carried out by the Acropolis Restoration Service since 2017. Constructed in the 5th century BCE in honor of the goddess Athena, the Parthenon is a hallmark of ancient Athens, characterized by its white marble architecture. The western and eastern pediments were once adorned with sculptures depicting themes from ancient Greek mythology, many of which were removed in the 19th century by the British diplomat Lord Elgin; the statues and reliefs are currently housed in the British Museum. Since 2021, negotiations between the governments of Greece and the United Kingdom have been ongoing regarding the possible return of these sculptures.
The Parthenon, located within the Acropolis complex, attracts millions of tourists annually and is now subject to new daily visitor limitations, implemented in 2023, to preserve its cultural heritage.