Latest news with #Acropolis
The National
3 days ago
- Science
- The National
Best photos of July 26: Tourist spot in Salalah to Children cools off in a fountain in Moscow
Thermal imaging shows the temperature variations around the Parthenon temple at the top of the Acropolis hill during a heatwave in Athens, Greece. Reuters
Arab News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Greek heatwave drags out as temperatures near 46C
ATHENS: A week-long heatwave in Greece that began on Monday is now expected to last more than a week, the country's weather service said as temperatures on Friday neared 46C. The National Observatory in Athens said the warmest temperature recorded was 45.8C in the Peloponnese region of Messinia. In Athens, the highest temperature in parts of the capital was 42C, also recorded in the main port of Piraeus. Officials once again modified the opening hours of the Acropolis, the country's top archaeological site, for the safety of visitors and staff. The monument was shut from midday to 5:00 p.m. — the hottest part of the day — in line with usual safety rules. The Greek weather agency EMY modified a warning note to reflect that temperatures would begin falling after Monday July 28, instead of on the weekend as it had previously reported. Northern winds are expected to pick up later Friday, raising the risk of fires, EMY said. A wildfire earlier this week destroyed more than 2,800 acres (1,130 hectares) of forest and grassland near the mountain village of Feneos in the Peloponnese. It was apparently started by two workmen using welding equipment near a forest. Over half of the area affected was a pine forest that cannot regenerate, the National Observatory said. On Friday, a fire burning near the city of Kilkis in northern Greece forced the evacuation of a university, homes and businesses, the fire service said. A high of 44C was expected in Greece on Saturday, with a maximum of 42C forecast in Athens, the agency said. In neighboring Albania, there were 10 active fires including one in Delvina, near the border with Greece. Another fire in Kakavia, near the border crossing with Greece, was brought under control on Thursday.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Greek heatwave drags out as temperatures near 46C
A week-long heatwave in Greece that began on Monday is now expected to last more than a week, the country's weather service said as temperatures on Friday neared 46C. The National Observatory in Athens said the warmest temperature recorded was 45.8C in the Peloponnese region of Messinia. In Athens, the highest temperature in parts of the capital was 42C, also recorded in the main port of Piraeus. Officials once again modified the opening hours of the Acropolis, the country's top archaeological site, for the safety of visitors and staff. The monument was shut from midday to 5:00 pm -- the hottest part of the day -- in line with usual safety rules. The Greek weather agency EMY modified a warning note to reflect that temperatures would begin falling after Monday July 28, instead of on the weekend as it had previously reported. Northern winds are expected to pick up later Friday, raising the risk of fires, EMY said. A high of 44C was expected in Greece on Saturday, with a maximum of 42C forecast in Athens, the agency said. jph/rmb
Skift
4 days ago
- Climate
- Skift
Extreme Heat in Greece Triggers Safety Warnings for Tourists, Forces Partial Shut Down of Acropolis
The increasing frequency of heat events is raising fresh questions about climate resilience in Mediterranean tourism markets, especially as the peak season now coincides with dangerous weather extremes. Greece has partially shut down the Acropolis in Athens and is urging tourists to stay indoors as an extreme heatwave sweeps across the country. Greece's Ministry of Culture has closed the ancient citadel during the hottest hours everyday since Tuesday. It is the most visited attraction in the country. 'The Acropolis Archaeological Site will remain closed from Friday to Sunday, between 12:00 and 17:00 due to high temperatures, for the safety of employees and visitors,' the ministry said in a statement. Temperatures in parts of the country are expected to peak at 43°C (109°F), according to Greece's Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. Authorities have advised residents and tourists to stay cool, avoid crowds, use air conditioning or fans, wear breathable clothing, and drink water regularly. Tourism Sector Faces Heat Pressure Greece, which welcomes millions of visitors annually during the summer months, is no stranger to extreme heat. But climate change is intensifying those patterns. The country has experienced longer and more intense heatwaves in recent years, as well as deadly floods and destructive wildfires. Last month, Western Europe was gripped by another searing heatwave that triggered evacuations, injuries, and travel disruption across France, Spain, and Greece. Thousands were displaced by wildfires, while tourism businesses and public agencies scrambled to respond. Skift's in-depth reporting on climate issues is made possible through the financial support of Intrepid Travel. This backing allows Skift to bring you high-quality journalism on one of the most important topics facing our planet today. Intrepid is not involved in any decisions made by Skift's editorial team.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
How acts of kindness are helping Athenians cope with the heatwave
ATHENS, July 25 — As temperatures inched towards 40C in Athens, a vegetable seller spontaneously handed a bottle of water to street musician Anna Gardere Nikolaki, a regular at this Athens food market. 'I feel like the heat brings us together,' said the young performer after receiving the free water, The city is in the middle of what is forecast to be a week-long heatwave. Nevertheless, she felt the sweltering conditions were fostering a sense of camaraderie. Greece's climate monitor warned that temperatures would reach 43C in parts of the country yesterday — rising to 44C today. A girl sits in the shade as she drinks water outside of the Greek Parliament, during a heatwave, in Athens July 24, 2025. — AFP pic The authorities this week ordered the partial closure of the ancient Acropolis temple due to severe heat, for the second time this month. To help workers cope, the labour ministry has suspended outdoor work between 11am and 5pm in most Greek regions, as part of emergency health measures. Some cities have opened up air-conditioned public rooms and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has sent out teams of volunteers to hand out water at the Acropolis museum to sometimes overheated tourists. Restaurant employees chat near a misting machine spraying water, during a heatwave, in Athens July 24, 2025. — AFP pic Air-conditioned shelters In Kypseli, one of Athens' oldest neighbourhoods with a high proportion of low-income families, not everyone can afford air conditioning, said Polixeni Della, head of Kypseli's municipal cultural centre for the elderly. Since Monday, seven of these centres have been open in the city centre from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm to 'offer air-conditioned spaces to citizens due to the very high temperatures', the Athens municipality said in a statement. Nikolaos Dalamagkas, a 60-year-old homeless man, was among those who found refuge at the cultural centre. 'I only come when it's very hot,' he said. 'Here, it's not just homeless people. I also meet people who have no electricity because they can't pay their bills,' he added. The heatwave is not expected to ease in most Greek regions before Monday. But residents and local businesses have also taken it upon themselves to rise to the challenge. A tourist wipes her face with a towel outside of the closed Acropolis Hill monument site in Athens July 23, 2025. — AFP pic Helping the elderly Air-conditioned pharmacies have become a popular haven during heatwaves, especially for the elderly. Kypseli pharmacist Marina Kosta said senior citizens frequently drop in to 'catch their breath, enjoy the air conditioning and then continue walking. 'They sometimes come saying they don't feel well and want us to check their blood pressure,' she added. In the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki — the country's second largest — one pharmacist said she had started delivering medication to local residents. 'Our customers, mainly elderly people and those with heart conditions, have stopped going out due to the very high temperatures, so we are providing them with everything they need at home to help them avoid the risks posed by excessive heat,' said Stella Stergianou, the pharmacy's owner. Tourists sit in the shade outside of the closed Acropolis Hill monument site in Athens July 23, 2025. — AFP pic Others, like Andreas Papadimitriou, a 45-year-old tire repairman, have learned to soldier through regardless of the heat. 'I don't need it. Customers may complain, but not me,' said Papadimitriou, who doesn't even have a fan in his workshop. 'I work all day, even without taking breaks during the hottest hours. You need endurance for this job,' he said. Much of the country has been placed under an elevated fire risk this week. Already, since Tuesday, firefighters have been battling a major wildfire near the mountain village of Feneos in the Peloponnese. More than 2,800 acres of forest and grassland burned, along with over 20 homes and warehouses, according to the climate observatory. — AFP
