ICOMOS urges UNESCO to list the Acropolis "World Heritage under threat"

The World Heritage Observatory (ICOMOS) is calling on UNESCO to stop the destruction of the Acropolis and include the monument on the “World Heritage in Danger” list.

The reason for this call is the numerous works on the ancient monument, which have changed its shape with the help of tons of concrete and other structures.

The NGO World Heritage Observatory, International Council on Monuments and Landmarks (ICOMOSI) sent letter UNESCO President André Azoulay on the topic “The deplorable situation on the Acropolis”.

In a letter reportedly sent May 12, ICOMOS urges UNESCO to stop its destructive intervention on the Acropolis and calls for the issue to be raised at the next international meeting in September. At the same time, he asks to include the Acropolis on the list of World Heritage in Danger. In an open letter, ICOMOS refers to “massive construction work that has been criticized by hundreds of scientists and experts from the international community.”

In particular, it states that “construction work in the area, which has already been carried out or is planned for the near future, is so large-scale and extensive that it changes its appearance and character to such an extent that it completely deprives it of authenticity and integrity. As a result, the monument , which has inspired countless generations with its high spirituality and beauty, will become a shallow backdrop of “sights” for selfies. Greece will lose its soul and will no longer be considered a devoted custodian of archeology and cultural heritage, and the world will lose a place that humanity looks up to in awe.”

The observatory still openly accuses UNESCO of allowing Greek officials to mislead part of it:

“The advisory mission of the ICOMOS World Heritage Center, which visited the Acropolis of Athens from April 27 to 29, 2022, was faced with a fait accompli. It was clear that what had been done was almost impossible to fix. The members of the mission, for unknown reasons, accepted the explanations of the Greek state about the reversibility interventions at face value, simply repeating them in their report, and without due diligence accepting the false claims of the Greek government that they were approved by the International Conference. The mission was limited to recommending a significant number of important and significant improvements.”

In conclusion, summing up this very serious matter, the letter from the World Heritage Observatory to UNESCO states the following:

“When will the World Heritage Committee operate, if not now? The world is about to lose the value of one of its most iconic creations, one that stands as a symbol of cultural heritage itself and, ultimately, of the organization of which you are all a part. time to decide on the following actions:

1. The Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is to be included in the agenda of the 45th meeting of the World Heritage Committee.
2. The World Heritage Committee should demand from Greece:

• Immediately stop all activities in the Acropolis area until the World Heritage Committee decides on both the projects already implemented and those planned.
• Submit a tourism management plan for the Acropolis of Athens, developed in full cooperation with civil society, before planning any possible intervention in the area.
• Remove layers of reinforced concrete and other unsuitable structures that have been installed from 2020 until today and repair all damage done since then.”

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