The Ministry of Culture, through the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, is proceeding with the restoration of the Mycenaean wall on the eastern plateau of the Acropolis in the area of the Old Museum. This specific project constitutes a crucial step for the protection, but also the promotion, of one of the most important surviving parts of the Mycenaean fortification of the Rock of the Acropolis of Athens. For the first time, through the new route that will be formed, the eastern part of the plateau of the archaeological site is being restored, promoted and made accessible to visitors.
The restoration of the Mycenaean wall, near the Old Museum of the Acropolis, was deemed necessary, as it protects and highlights one of the best preserved parts of the Mycenaean fortification of the Acropolis. Today, the area is not open to the public, as it was mainly used for storing scattered architectural members. Upon completion of the works, in the first half of 2026, the area east and north of the Old Museum will be opened to the public, while a special visitor route is being created, based on the design study for the eastern part of the Acropolis plateau.
The scope of the project is the consolidation and restoration of two sections of the Mycenaean wall, in the eastern part of the Acropolis plateau: Section A of the Mycenaean wall, located east-southeast of the Old Museum, with its foundation visible, on the natural rock, and section B of the Mycenaean wall located in the underground area of the Old Museum, with its northern-internal aspect visible. In order to assess the state of conservation, in relation to that of the discovery of the two sections of the wall, the photographic archive of the German Archaeological Institute of Athens was utilized. According to the documentary material and the restoration study of the Mycenaean wall, six more scattered stones are attributed to the wall, which were identified in adjacent locations.
In parallel with the conservation work of the above sections of the Mycenaean wall, two sections of the foundation and two parallel walls of the Sanctuary of Pandion are being conserved, in the area of the Old Acropolis Museum. All interventions follow the principles of respect for the historical phases of the monuments, reversibility of interventions, minimal intervention and the safety of visitors and workers.
The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated: “The Acropolis, in addition to being a top monument of classical antiquity, is also a place where evidence from different historical periods coexist and are preserved. By restoring and highlighting the Mycenaean wall, one of the best preserved parts of the prehistoric fortification, and shaping the new visitor route, we are preserving a unique monument. We are shedding light on the history of the city over a long historical period, over a long period of time, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about aspects of the history of the Acropolis Rock, which until now have remained invisible and unknown to the general public. The project is in connection with the upgrading and reopening with new uses of the Old Museum, but also with the ongoing restoration and promotion projects of the Acropolis monuments. The upgrading of the services provided to visitors to the archaeological site of the Acropolis has been continuing systematically since 2020. Recently, new routes have been added, such as the walk on the north slope, which add new experiences for visitors, while a new ODAP shop is also operating, which meets the needs of this specific archaeological site. Consequently, we are serving the intervention plan for the best possible protection and promotion of the monumental ensemble, the expansion of the visitor experience and its optimal accessibility.
