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Marble Slabs Complete Acropolis Pediment Amid Elgin Debate

6/20/2026

Summary

Greece Restores Pediment

Greece’s Ministry of Culture announced Thursday that marble slabs now complete the western pediment, a project the Acropolis Restoration Service began in 2017, restoring the temple’s full form.
The temple bore sculptural groups on pediments, many removed by Lord Elgin and sold to the British Museum 220 years ago.
Since Greece and United Kingdom began discussing the Elgin Marbles' return in 2021, Greece capped Acropolis visitors in 2023 to curb overcrowding.

Summary

Crews Install Slabs

The restoration team installed two orthostat slabs on March 3 and March 5, 2026, in the western pediment tympanon.
One slab combines a mosaic of ancient fragments repaired with new marble.
The other slab is made entirely of freshly quarried marble from Mount Pentelicus.
The work followed a 2008 restoration plan re-approved by Greek authorities in 2020.
Crews carved marble to dimensions, hoisted the slabs up Acropolis, and corrected restorations by architect Nikolaos Balanos (1894-1938).

Summary

Crews Finish Pediment

The western pediment of the Parthenon is now complete, creating the first visual impression for the roughly 4.6 million visitors who toured the Acropolis last year.
Officials publicly unveiled the completion on Thursday, June 18, 2026, ending a 220-year gap in the temple’s western silhouette.
Workers hoisted and positioned two new marble blocks high on the western end of the Parthenon, restoring the view that greets arriving visitors.

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Greece Restores Pediment

Greece’s Ministry of Culture announced Thursday that marble slabs now complete the western pediment, a project the Acropolis Restoration Service began in 2017, restoring the temple’s full form.
The temple bore sculptural groups on pediments, many removed by Lord Elgin and sold to the British Museum 220 years ago.
Since Greece and United Kingdom began discussing the Elgin Marbles' return in 2021, Greece capped Acropolis visitors in 2023 to curb overcrowding.

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