CNN
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One of Greece’s most famous landmarks is experimenting with limiting its daily visitors, starting today.
The archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens attracts visitors from all over the world who are eager to enjoy this ancient cultural spot. From now on, the number of visitors will be capped at 20,000 visitors per day, with A Booking site Track footfall and enforce hourly slots.
In an interview with Greek radio station Real FM in August, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the Acropolis currently receives up to 23,000 visitors a day, which she described as a “huge number.”
While the site is open until 8 pm, Mendoni said The majority of visitors were choosing to visit in the morning hours, creating bottlenecks and “unpleasant conditions for the site, visitors and staff trying to accommodate such a large number of people.”
The aim is that the new system – which is currently in its pilot stages and is likely to be officially implemented from April 2024 – will address overcrowding and ensure the safety and longevity of the memorial.
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Built on a rocky hill in the 5th century BC, the ancient Acropolis is home to a collection of historical monuments, buildings and artifacts – the most famous of which is the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena.
The site and its antiquities constitute “the greatest architectural and artistic complex that the ancient Greek era left to the world,” according to its description. UNESCO.
Earlier this summer, the Acropolis was closed due to rising temperatures amid record-breaking European heatwaves. Pictures of the site taken in late August show it engulfed in smoke from recent Greek forest fires.
From April, the new reservation system will also apply to other Greek archaeological sites that operate with e-tickets, which represent 90-95% of visitors to Greek sites.