Athens: Aesthetic and more reconstruction of the Ancient Agora

As part of the functional and aesthetic renovation of the capital's archaeological sites, the Greek Ministry of Culture has announced a large-scale project to modernize the Ancient Agora in Athens.

The general promotion activities of the archaeological site focus on the creation of new entrance and exit gates on Adrianou Street and improving its accessibility.

The intervention zone is defined in the north by the lines of the ΗΣΑΠ parallel to Adrianou Street, in the west by Apostolos Pavlou Street, in the south by the slopes of the Acropolis, and in the east it adjoins the urban structure of Plaka. The characteristic internal boundary of the Ancient Agora is the modern Asteroskopiou Street, which divides the area into two large parts.

Unfortunately The current image of the archaeological site demonstrates numerous functional and aesthetic problems. For example, of the four entrance gates to the archaeological site, only the main entrance on Adrianou Street is open for issuing tickets to visitors.

At the ticket offices, the necessary installations for operation, such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, etc., are visible, which impair the visual experience, and at the main entrance on Via Adrianou, there is not enough space for shading. From there, a ramp with a 10% slope leads to the level of the archaeological site without an intermediate platform, which makes it difficult for people with limited mobility to access the facility. Accessibility for disabled people is limited. Using a wheelchair without assistance is extremely difficult both because of the slopes of the ramp and because of the slopes that inevitably arise due to the relief of the monuments themselves.

The sanitary facilities located in the Stoa of Attalos were seriously damaged.and they do not have facilities for the disabled. As for the equipment of the archaeological site and the markings connecting the entrances to important points of the Agora, there is a great variety, which has no aesthetic or morphological significance.

What changes are coming? The project concerns the renewal of the image and functionality of the entrances to the archaeological site.priority is given to the main entrance on Adrianou Street, which will serve the entry/exit of visitors and functionally meet the needs of people with disabilities, tells CNN Greece. The plan also includes:

1. connecting the entrances to the monument’s bus stops, viewing points and information points;
2. modernization of sanitary facilities, including water supply and sewerage networks, serving the archaeological site, taking into account access and service for visitors with disabilities;
3. placement of appropriate urban equipment at entrances to enhance the visitor experience when visiting the archaeological site;
4. It is planned to replace the existing ticket office building at the main entrance on Adriano Street with a new one that meets modern needs. It will house a waiting area and entry/exit routes, as well as shade for visitors and employees. In order to highlight the archaeological site and better organize the entrance area, it is planned to remove parts of the existing entrance area and fill in some others;
5. at the entrances on Asteroskopioiou and Apostolos Pavlos streets, the existing ticket offices are planned to be restored and given an aesthetic update;
6. at the entrance of the Αστεροσκοπείου it is planned to retain the existing ticket office, aesthetically improving it and connecting it with the new main ticket office on Adrianos street;
7. To serve visitors, it is proposed to build a new metal canopy, which will house a water vending machine and an electronic ticket office;
8. to access the archaeological excavations, it is proposed to build a new staircase parallel to Panathenaic Street, and on Asteroskopi Street, an extension of Panathenaic Street, indicating its continuity in the southern part of the archaeological excavations, in the direction of the Acropolis;
9. for sanitary zones, it is proposed to carry out major repairs to existing structures with the addition of new ones, taking into account adaptations for the disabled, as well as the replacement of old water supply and sewerage networks;
10. In terms of equipment, new fence posts, information signs, seating areas and railings are proposed.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni says:

“The operations we have planned for the Ancient Agora concern the complete modernization of public services, including those that have special requirements. The central idea of ​​our project is the discreteness of the buildings, the dialogue with the landscape and the monuments, the organization of existing and new uses that support the work, visitation and accessibility of the Ancient Agora.”

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