Visitors to the Parthenon can now see the monument's full western pediment for the first time in roughly 220 years, before the modern Greek state was established.

External scaffolding around the Parthenon's western face was removed in early June after the back wall was finished, nearly a year after it had been temporarily taken down in September and October 2025.

Restoration work led by the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA) and the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments (ESMA) started in 1983 and gained momentum in the 2000s.

Two orthostats, vertical stone plaques used in ancient Mediterranean architecture, were installed against the monument's back wall by YSMA to restore its original height.

YSMA stated in early June that restoring the tympanum's orthostats ranked among the service's greatest recent challenges and demanded surgical precision at every step.

Marble blocks quarried from Dionyssos, the same source used by ancient builders, were hand-carved by skilled artisans, transported to the Acropolis, and positioned according to detailed engineering plans.

The sixth block from the north in the tympanum was returned to its original shape by joining two ancient fragments with new marble additions, while the seventh block was crafted entirely from fresh marble, YSMA reported.

Destruction of the Parthenon

The Parthenon suffered damage across centuries of conflict, most notably during the Morean War between the Ottomans and Venetians in the seventeenth century.

Before a Venetian assault, Ottoman forces fortified the Acropolis and stored gunpowder inside the Parthenon despite warnings of the risk.

The site also sheltered local residents.

On September 26, 1687, Venetian forces launched a mortar from the Hill of Philopappos southwest of the Acropolis, striking the Ottoman ammunition depot. Around 300 people died in the blast, and the monument's central section along with its inner chambers, known as the cella, were destroyed.

The ancient structure faced further artillery damage during the Greek War of Independence in the early nineteenth century.

A few months ago we discussed the first clear view of the Parthenon in decades without western scaffolding, Greek Culture Minister Lisa Mendoni said in an early June statement. Today we mark the end of a highly demanding restoration that returns the western pediment to its most complete state in about 220 years.

Mendoni called the result breathtaking and noted that the pediment has regained its architectural unity, allowing viewers to see the western pediment as it has not appeared for two centuries.

This marks a historic moment for the monument, the Acropolis, and world civilization, she added, one that brings pride yet also the duty to continue protecting and presenting the leading symbol of Western civilization with the same dedication.

Greece Renews Call for Return of Parthenon Sculptures from British Museum

The Parthenon has drawn public attention for a second time in recent months.

In late May, twenty countries announced support for Greece's request for the permanent return of the Parthenon Sculptures at the twenty-fifth session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Return of Cultural Property to Countries of Origin.

The sculptures, removed from the Parthenon and other Acropolis temples by British Ambassador Thomas Bruce, remain a point of dispute between Greece and the United Kingdom.

The matter has stayed on the committee agenda since 1984.

The Greek Culture Ministry reported that its delegation presented a detailed historical account of the sculptures during the meeting.

Greek arguments centered on Elgin's acquisition of the pieces, the harm caused to their preservation by removal, and the British Museum's handling of the artifacts.

The delegation maintained that Elgin lacked a firman or any Ottoman document authorizing removal of the items from Greece.

The United Kingdom repeated its longstanding stance that Elgin possessed a firman and that the removal was lawful, citing an 1816 inquiry that deemed his actions legal.

Turkey, attending as an observer, emphasized that no document legitimizing the removal existed and urged the United Kingdom to cease citing such a firman in international forums.

The restoration of the Parthenon's western facade was funded by the Greek Recovery and Resilience Fund and carried out by the Acropolis Restoration Service under the supervision of the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments.