Acropolis Temporarily Closed in Greece to Protect Tourists from Heat
On Friday, July 14, Greece temporarily closed the ancient Acropolis for a few hours to protect visitors from the heatwave that engulfed Athens and other countries in Southern Europe, according to Ekathimerini.
"The Acropolis hill, home to the Parthenon temple that attracts millions of tourists each year, will be closed from noon to 5 pm on Friday," the city authorities announced.
The Greek Meteorological Service forecasts a maximum temperature in Athens of up to 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit) by noon, but the mercury level on the Acropolis hill, which offers a view of the Greek capital, is usually higher due to its elevation and lack of shade.
Greek Red Cross employees handed out bottles of water to tourists who stood in long queues and sought shelter under olive trees before the entrance to the Acropolis before the famous landmark was temporarily closed.
Southern Europe is experiencing a severe heatwave this week, and warnings that next week's temperatures could reach record levels for the continent raise concerns about the impact on human health, crops, and animals.
The European Space Agency (ESA), whose satellites monitor land and sea temperatures, warned that Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Poland are facing extreme conditions.
Next week's temperatures could break Europe's current record of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.8 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded in Sicily in August 2021.
Italian meteorologists named the next phase of the European heatwave "Charon," referring to the ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology.
This week's heatwave was named "Cerberus," after the three-headed dog of the underworld.
Last week, the world experienced the hottest day on record, and scientists attribute this to the combination of long-term global warming caused by greenhouse gases and a short-term boost from El Niño, a naturally occurring weather pattern originating in the Pacific Ocean.
Research this week revealed that 61,000 people died due to the extreme heat across Europe last summer.