For the first time in 200 years, the Parthenon’s exterior is completely free of scaffolding on all sides. It’s also the first time in 20 years that the western side has been scaffold-free. At least six generations have never seen the Parthenon unobstructed. [1528×1031]

Walking along the broad pedestrian street that runs along the base of Athens’ famed Acropolis Hill, visitors can now enjoy something not seen in a very long time: an unobstructed, scaffolding-free view of the Parthenon temple. The scaffolding set up along the 5th century B.C. temple’s western façade for conservation work about 20 years ago has been removed, allowing an uncluttered view of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The western side of the Parthenon affords the best street-level view, so the removal from that side, which was completed in late September, has been the most noticeable for visitors. But Culture Minister Lina Mendoni noted it also marks the first time in about 200 years that the Parthenon’s exterior is completely free of any kind of scaffolding on any side. For visitors, “it is like they are seeing a different, a completely different monument,” Mendoni said.

This unobstructed view, however, is only temporary. Within about a month, restoration work will resume on the western façade, using a lighter and more aesthetically respectful scaffolding structure designed to better align with the monument’s visual integrity. The final phase of the project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026, when the scaffolding will be permanently removed.

[https://apnews.com/article/greece-parthenon-temple-acropolis-d128f9e52e639ef05f9a89b61a367183](https://apnews.com/article/greece-parthenon-temple-acropolis-d128f9e52e639ef05f9a89b61a367183)

Ok, good. Now, get the rest of it together so the Marbles can shine.