Oh boy, it’s getting hot in here! Greece is bracing for temperatures as high as 43 degrees Celsius this Wednesday, causing officials to make some tough calls. Thousands of tourists are feeling the heat as the iconic Parthenon in Athens will be shutting its doors early for the first time this summer.
The scorching weather is no joke, with the Greek Ministry of Culture announcing that the Acropolis will be closing at 12pm and reopening at 5pm due to the extreme heat. Visitors can still catch a glimpse until 8:30pm, though. The decision came about after a tourist fainted while waiting for a ticket on a sweltering Tuesday.
With the country facing a hot July filled with wildfires and high temperatures, emergency measures have been put into place. Even primary schools in Athens are closed, and social workers and nurses are hitting the streets to assist those impacted by the soaring temperatures.
Last year’s devastating wildfires spurred Greece into action, beefing up their resources and training for a faster response. They’re not taking any chances, with fire and emergency teams combing the forests on foot and from the air, on the lookout for any signs of trouble.
The closure of the Acropolis is a stark reminder of the need to protect both our treasured landmarks and our communities in the face of extreme weather conditions. Stay safe out there, folks!