New floor to allow visitors to walk inside Erechtheion

The Erechtheion, the 5th-century BC temple situated at the north side of the Acropolis, is about to be revamped with a new floor that will enable visitors to access its interior, authorities said on Friday.

The project aims to highlight all later reincarnations of the elegant structure which was originally dedicated to Athena and Poseidon before being converted into a church during the Byzantine years, into a palace under Frankish rule, and the residence of the Turkish commander’s harem during the Ottoman period.

“[We must not] maintain the impression that life on the Acropolis came to an end along with the closure of Classical antiquity,” said Lina Mendoni, who is president of the Central Archaeological Council which approved the design by the Acropolis Monuments Preservation Division.

Following the renovation works, visitors will enter the temple through the northern porch.