ATHENS, Greece (AP) 鈥� Visitors to the can now see the Parthenon鈥檚 western side looking whole for the first time in about 220 years.
Officially unveiled Thursday, restorers have slotted two new marble blocks into long-empty gaps high on the temple鈥檚 western end 鈥� the view visitors see when they first enter the ancient monument in Athens.
The 25-century-old monument overlooking the attracted about 4.6 million visitors last year. Long-term restoration projects address damage caused by war, weather and looting, including the broken outline of the western side.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni described the sight after the latest restoration as 鈥渢ruly stunning.鈥�
The two new stones, she said, do more than fill a gap.
鈥淭hey allow the unique proportions and the geometric perfection of the Parthenon鈥檚 western face to be seen once again,鈥� she said.
The project was funded through a European Union program. It is part of a broader restoration effort that began in 1975.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
