A major restoration effort is moving ahead at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the stone theater beneath the Acropolis in Athens. Greece’s Central Archaeological Council unanimously approved a program focused on protection, restoration, and enhancement of the monument, and the site will remain closed for the next three seasons while work takes place.
The restoration program builds on an interdisciplinary study led by the National Technical University of Athens. That research will guide the next phase of work, including upgrades that tie the monument more closely to the natural landscape and the historic fabric of the Acropolis’ southern slope.
For the built environment, the heart of the proposal sits in the stage building. The approved scope calls for targeted additions to the masonry and reconstruction of selected sections to restore architectural coherence and improve functionality. The original outline of the stage building will be reinstated to a height that better expresses the structure’s three-dimensional form and supports the installation of temporary stage structures.
Visitor access and safety are also central. The proscenium will be made fully accessible and safer for the public, and the work will address the arches of the parodoi, the two wide side entrances used in ancient Greek theaters. The program also includes a new central opening intended to better support the operational needs of the Athens Epidaurus Festival.
Beyond the masonry scope, the plan calls for fully unveiling the mosaic floor and keeping it visible outside the festival season. Sound and lighting systems will be upgraded, including replacing outdated lighting and adding measures to curb noise and vibrations after studies showed sound levels above safe limits.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the project contractor installation on site is set for July, with festival performances proceeding in June. Built around 161 AD by Herodes Atticus, the roughly 5,000-seat theater remains a defining example of Roman-era architecture and a high-profile reminder of what preservation-grade masonry work demands.
Read the full, original article from tovima.com here.