(Athens) The Acropolis of Athens, an ancient emblematic monument and the most visited site in Greece, closed to the public on Wednesday at midday for five hours due to the heatwave raging in the country.

“The Ministry of Culture informs that today the Acropolis archaeological site will be closed from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time” (5 a.m. Eastern Time to 10 a.m. Eastern Time), the ministry previously indicated as temperatures of up to 43°C are expected in Greece on Wednesday and Thursday for the first heatwave of the year.

The site, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site and stormed by tourists, could also see this measure applied in the coming days.

Greece, a Mediterranean country accustomed to heatwaves, has been experiencing intense heat for several days with a “peak” expected on Wednesday and Thursday.

Temperatures are expected to go well above 40°C in many parts of the country, according to weather services.

On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, around midnight, it was 30°C in the center of the Greek capital, according to the meteorological services.

The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection also warned on Tuesday of a “very high” fire risk, particularly in the Attica region which surrounds the Greek capital.

The authorities have taken numerous measures in recent days to deal with this heat wave, the first this year in Greece.

In several regions, schools will also remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday, notably in Athens, while the Ministry of Labor has recommended teleworking for public sector employees.

An air-conditioned room is also open in the Syntagma metro station, in the center of the capital, so that Athenians who wish can cool off, according to the urban transport authority.

The Acropolis of Athens, at the top of which is the Parthenon temple, had already been forced to close its doors in July 2023 during a two-week heatwave, unprecedented in its duration.

Greece was then hit by devastating fires which destroyed some 175,000 hectares during the summer of 2023.

The Acropolis of Athens recorded a record number of visitors last year, with almost 4 million, an increase of more than 31% in one year.

Its attendance continues to grow, notably due to tourists boarding cruise ships which stop at Piraeus, the large port near the capital.