ICOMOS' Statement of concern regarding interventions at the Acropolis, Athens

ICOMOS is deeply concerned by information received from Greek experts, and discussed worldwide in the press, that reinforced concrete pavements are being built on the archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens. Although the Greek authorities have given assurances that this is only a question of upgrading the ancient pathways to accommodate persons with reduced mobility, strong fears have been expressed by experts as to the materials used, the irreversible nature of the interventions underway and, above all, their impact on the entire site, thus jeopardizing the Outstanding Universal Value of this World Heritage property.

These fears are reinforced by recent statements made by the President of the Committee for the Restoration and Conservation of the Monuments of the Acropolis, who described these interventions as only the first phase of a more extensive transformation of the archaeological site.

ICOMOS is extremely concerned about these developments in what is one of the most iconic monuments of the World and continues to follow the situation closely.