The Acropolis Restoration News - 17-18 December 2018 - User account | ABEKT
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The Acropolis Restoration News
•
17-18 December 2018
View of the Parthenon cella from the East. Photo R. Christodoulopoulou, 2018
V. Eleftheriou, 2017-2018 - The progress of the Acropolis restoration works
V. Manidaki, J. Dourakopoulos - Restoring the orthostates of the Parthenon west pediment
Ch Pinatsi, C.Koutsadelis, E. Kakogiannou -The stategic plan for the interventions on the Acropolis walls
R. Christodoulopoulou, V. Manidaki - Moving and re-arranging the cranes of the Parthenon
E. Karakitsou, E. Petropoulou, Activities to promote research and bring the restoration works on the Acropolis monuments to the fore
I. Kaimara, A. Leonti, M. Tsiolaki - «A Greek Temple»: A new web application on the architecture of ancient Greek temples
E. Petropoulou - News from the Acropolis2017-2018, The progress of the Acropolis restoration works 3
This current issue of the Acropolis Res- in addition to these works the Potain which were approved by the ministe- employing temporary staff. This project
toration News focuses on the period de- crane was moved inside the Parthenon rial decision YPPO/GDAMTE/DAAM/ followed the approved, since 1997, study
fined by two important events organised and the old Derrick crane was donated to TMAM/43085/4759/257/86/15.2.2017. of N. Toganidis. However, a new updated
by YSMA dedicated to our mentor and the Lavrion Technological and Cultural It started in June 2017 with the disman- study by K. Skaris and A. Vrouva, has
ESMA President, Charalambos Bouras. Park (see the relevant article in this is- tling of the central orthostate of the tym- already been submitted for discussion
The two day conference on “Specialised sue). The aim of these changes was not panum, which due to its specific geome- to the Central Archaeological Council.
research and implementation issues in only to facilitate the scheduled restora- try and deterioration demanded careful By the end of 2018 all the external or-
the Acropolis restoration works carried tion programmes, but also to enhance handling during its structural restora- thostates of the wall had been reset on
out during the period of 2010-2015”, the appearance of the monuments by tion. Then two more orthostates, which the monument, while in the interior
which took place in November 2016, and removing all the unnecessary installa- had similar problems, were also dis- five vacuums remained expecting new
the event organised in November 2018 tions, materials and scaffoldings. mantled. The backing wall, though, had marble in order to structure the 5th, 6th
are extensively presented in the articles The person in charge of the works on the received very serious damage. After dis- and 7th orthostates. The 1st row had been
that follow. It should be pointed out that Parthenon is the architect R. Christodou- mantling the blocks of the upper rows, it half-completed while the restoration of
two important editions resulted from lopoulou, while the scientific personnel was revealed that the blocks of the three the 2nd row had started.
the two aforementioned events: the first consists of the architects Dr K. Karana- lowest rows presented exit fractures,
Finally, another work that continued
one promotes the entire work of YSMA, sos, Dr L. Lambrinou, V. Manidaki, A. while the extent of older interventions
was the carving of flutes on the new fill-
since its establishment and is based on Papandropoulos, K. Skaris, and the civil in the area had been exposed: for exam-
ings of the third from the north column
the texts of Ch. Bouras, while the second engineers A. Vrouva, Dr J. Dourakopou- ple, an architectural member which had
of the Pronaos.
one contains a thorough analysis of the los and Dr E. Pasiou. The people respon- been chiselled off, or the use of inappro-
results of the scientific study and re- sible for the worksites were the marble priate materials (block-adhesive Meyer). In 2018 the process to commission the
search conducted in recent years within technicians G. Aggelopoulos and S. Kar- The really bad condition of the mar- supply of new marble from the quarries
the guidelines of article 16 of the Venice damis. The works, following a set sched- bles caused a delay in the calculations Dionysos-Penteli was completed, and
Charter; this research had also been in- ule, are conducted in three areas, that is of the needed reinforcement for the thus the amount of new marble that
cited by the encouragement and support the west pediment, the north wall of the bindings and the titanium clamping would cover the needs for the comple-
View of the Parthenon west side after moving the Potain crane inside the monument.
Photo: V. Eleftheriou, 2018 of Ch. Bouras. cella, and the 3rd column of the Pronaos. elements. The engineers responsible for tion of works on the Parthenon untill
the relevant studies are A. Vrouva, J. 2020 was ensured.
In spring 2017, the work “Restora- The project of restoring the west pedi-
Dourakopoulos and E. Pasiou. Until the
tion and conservation of the Acropolis ment of the Parthenon is the most em- The process to commission the “Study of
end of 2018 the structural restoration
monuments”, included in the EPAnEK blematic of this restoration period and topographic and photogrammetric sur-
of the orthostates had been completed,
NSRF 2014-2020, received a funding is being conducted in accordance with veying on the Parthenon” started after
whereas works on the backing wall were
of 5,000,000 €; the deadline for these the studies: “The restoration of the NSRF approved its financing. After con-
just starting.
works was in spring 2021. In June the tympanum orthostate of the west pedi- ducting a public tender the study regard-
Service advertised 40 job vacancies of ment of the Parthenon” of V. Manidaki The permanent personnel of the Service ing the complete and exact geometrical
various specialties. The process of as- and L. Palaeologos, and the “Restora- had worked on the restoration of the documentation of the North wall of the
sessing about 400 applications and the tion of the backing wall of the west north wall of the cella until September cella, the West pediment and the ceil-
need to answer the raised objections on pediment of the Parthenon” of K. Skaris, 2017 when work was intensified after ing of the West wing of the Parthenon,
the produced rank lists of the applicants
was completed at the end of August; fi-
nally the new recruits were employed in
September. Having now a staff of more
than 155 people, who were professionals
specialised in fields other than the ones
employed permanently by the Service
(civil engineers, mechanical engineers
and others), allowed the Service to me-
thodically programme and proceed with
the works it has undertaken for the indi-
cated period.
At the same time, preparations at the
worksites of the Parthenon and the area
B17 of the walls were completed in order Restoring a fragmented block from the backing wall of the Parthenon west tympanum: view before (on the left) and during the works (on
Dismantling an orthostate of the Parthenon west pediment. Photo: T. Souvlakis, 2017 to carry out the projects listed in NSRF; the right). Photo: A. Panou, 20185
supervised by the topographic engineer Technical University of Athens (NTUA) which the dismantling of the western- which was not to be dismantled, during A. Tsimereki, and is to be re-examined
D. Mavromati, was contracted out to in order to record seismic activities with most part of the worksite canopy in or- the works on the underlying sections. together with the geotechnical-static
the consortium “Elliniki Photogram- the use of a pair of accelerometers placed der to make the east wall of the north Until the end of 2018 the latest addi- study before being submitted for ap-
metriki Ltd - Photopo PLC”. In parallel on the northeast corner of the Parthe- wing of the Propylaia visible. tions had been dismantled from the in- proval to KAS.
to the above, the topographic engineer non and one more recording equipment, tervention, the gaps in the interior part
In 2017 the Central Archaeological For the preparation of the above two
S. Kyparissi produced three-dimensional which was placed on the south wing of of the masonry had been filled with mor-
Council approved the “Study for the res- studies there were used bibliographical
models of the dismantled architectural the monument. tar, four new blocks had been placed on
toration of the area B17 of the north wall data, experimental data, as well as obser-
members with the use of photographs The Head of the Technical Office of the 7th and 8th rows and the surface of
of the Athens Acropolis” and the “Study vations made during small-scale works
and the appropriate software which the circuit walls is the civil engineer the new members had been treated. An
for the restoration of the area B12-B13 that have been conducted in the last five
serve three purposes: they document the D. Michalopoulou; in the same Office inscribed fragment that was removed
of the north wall of the Athens Acropo- years on the Acropolis walls. The stud-
preservation condition before and after work the architects K. Mamalougas, A. from this area of the wall was given to
lis”, of D. Michalopoulou, K. Mamalou- ies will therefore, after being approved,
the interventions, they can be used as Hadjipapa and Ch. Pinatsi and the civil the Ephorate of Antiquities. Finally, po-
gas, A. Hadjipapa, E. Aggelakopoulou become a valid framework of principles
backgrounds for static solutions and fi- engineer Dr E. Kakogiannou. The civil ros from Pitsa Korinthias was obtained
and A.Tsimereki. The relevant works and methodologies to be applied to the
nally they can also provide the context engineer N. Ninis, on a part-time se- for the construction of new fillings.
were all included in NSRF 2014-2020. future interventions on the walls.
for implementations in the areas of in- condment to YSMA by the Directorate The crew responsible for the conser-
of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Priority was given to the area B17 as During the period 2017-2018 the walls
formation and education. vation of the walls dealt with parts of
contributed to the work of “The consoli- scaffolding had already been raised in as well as the entire archaeological site
A workstation was set up (using a pow- them in many areas (such as an area
dation of rock masses and the walls”. the specific location. However, after the Three-dimensional model of a block from have been monitored with the use of var-
erful computer system) at the Parthenon NE of the Erechtheion) while part of
The marble technician G. Vasdekis is in study was approved the scaffolding had the backing wall of the west Parthenon ious instruments: a) a network of 11 ac-
the east side of the wall on the SE cor- tympanum and a model with photographic
office in order to process demanding charge of the crew for restoration works. to be modified in order to allow the re- celerometers supported by the Institute
ner of the Acropolis rock was repaired. texture. Production: S. Kyparissi
software and complex computer files. of Geodynamics of the National Obser-
Analogous to the cleaning and enhance- moval of the wall blocks without dis- After detecting problems in the area of
vatory of Athens, b) a system of optical
In 2017 YSMA renewed for three more ment works conducted in the area sur- mantling the overlying rows. In addi- the elevator (B14) on the north wall, the was assigned to the consortium of the fibres installed by the company OSMOS
years its collaboration with the MIE rounding the Parthenon, were the works tion, a support system was designed and Ephorate of Antiquities of Athens clo- engineering companies GEOPER Con- Hellas on the foundation of the west
University in Japan and the National in the area of the Propylaia, among constructed, aiming to buttress the area sed off the north walkway, Peripatos. sultants Engineers SA and Domos Con- wall of the Propylaia’s north wing and c)
Our Service appointed Ch. Pinatsi and sulting Engineers. At the end of 2018, a station of geotechnical instruments in-
E. Kakogiannou to conduct a study and under the supervision of D. Michalopou- stalled in a well near the Belvedere tow-
launched a public tender in order to lou and N. Ninis and under the tutelage er in order to monitor backfilling works,
commission the repair work of the wall of a sub-committee consisting of the supported by the company Edafos - Engi-
in this area. The work, to be conducted President of the ESMA, M. Korres and neering Consultants SA.
within two months, is to start on 16th the ESMA members, M. Chronopoulos
January 2020. and P. Kouphopoulos, the second phase Conservation works of the surface of
of the final study was completed while the monuments continued on the Par-
In September 2018 the cleaning of the
its approval by ESMA and KAS is being thenon and the Propylaia, while on the
wall and the slopes from weeds was com-
expected. walls they had an explorative character;
pleted after launching a public tender.
small-scale conservation works were
The “Strategic plan for the interventions
Before the beginning of works in the conducted on poros architectural mem-
on the Acropolis walls" (master plan)
area B12-B13, D. Michalopoulou and A. bers by the Office of Scattered architec-
was the result of a collective effort of
Hadjipapa had prepared a study, while tural members. The person in charge
the Technical Office of the circuit walls
ESMA had approved to supply and in- of the Office and Laboratory of surface
and the Office and Laboratory of surface
stall a bridge crane on a scaffolding; conservation is the chemical engineer,
conservation. After a bibliographical
provisions for launching a relevant pub- Dr E. Aggelakopoulou.
research in the period 2015-2016, the
lic tender for these works are under way.
design study of the walls started in 2017 On the Parthenon, under the supervi-
Moreover, A. Hadjipapa and E. Kakogi-
and its first version was presented to sion of the conservator A. Panou, the
annou are carrying out another study
ESMA for discussion in June 2018. The conservation works at the east face of
focusing on the restoration of the inter-
strategic plan included alternative pro- five architrave backers of the SW corner
nal side of the wall at the SE corner.
posals for the enhancement of the areas of the Parthenon were completed; the
The public tender for outsourcing the where the classical wall has been consid- programme of conserving a total of 20
“Geotechnical - static study of the cir- erably preserved. The study (see the rele- architectural members from the entab-
cuit walls of the Athens Acropolis and of vant article in this issue) was conducted lature of the west side (4 metopes, 5 tri-
Conservation and restoration works on the Parthenon. Top (left and right): restoring blocks on the north wall of the cella. Photo: V. their rocky foundations on specific are- by D. Michalopoulou, C. Koutsadelis, Ch. glyphs, 9 cornices and the areas of the
Eleftheriou, 2018. Bellow (left): Carving flutes on the third column of the Pronaos. Photo: V. Eleftheriou, 2018. Bellow (right): Binding as of priority” started in April 2017 and Pinatsi, E. Kakogiannou, A. Hadjipapa, regulae and tenia of two architraves)
fragments on an orthostate of the Parthenon west tympanum. Photo: L. Stephaniotis, 2018 was completed in March 2018. The work E. Aggelakopoulou, E. Xynopoulou and continued. Rescuing conservation inter-7
ventions were carried out during the dis- tion and c) proposals about appropriate
mantling of the pediment blocks, while conservation materials.
the systematic conservation of the re-
YSMA tried in the past to analyse the
moved blocks of the orthostate is un- composition of Piraeus stone that makes
derway. In addition, conservation works up the main structural stone of the an-
are being carried out on the blocks of the cient wall of the Acropolis. The conduct-
north wall of the cella before resetting ed studies concluded that Piraeus stone
them to their initial positions, while the can be divided in two general categories
orthostates are being sealed after set- according to where it has originated (the
ting them on their final position. coast of Piraeus or the Munichia Hill),
At the Propylaia, under the supervision and two sub-categories as for its frac-
of the conservator A. Frantzikinaki, the ture toughness. Specifically, this stone
is a) very tough actitis “type A” (fracture
conservation of the columns and the
toughness Fc=40-133 MPa), b) mildly
overlying part of the entablature of the
tough actitis “type B” (Fc=20-40 MPa),
north wing colonnade of the monument
c) soft Munichia stone “type A” (Fc=10-
Shoring the Acropolis wall on the area B17, before commencing restoration works. was completed. The works and the mon-
20 MPa) and d) very soft Munichia stone
Photo: K. Mamalougas, 2017 ument’s conditions were presented in
“type B” (Fc9
In addition, within the context of the the Action Plan of “Bilateral and Multi-
collaboration with the Ephorate of An- lateral Cooperation between Greece and
tiquities of Athens for the “Reopen- China”. The proposal entitled SCIENCE,
ing and new uses of the old Acropolis concerns not only the implementation
Museum”, a large number of architec- of satellite interferometry SAR on re-
tural members was listed; among cording movements-deformations, in
them architectural members from the order to diagnose and observe possible
Erectheion, and groups such as frag- dangers the monument face, but also the
ments from the votive offering of the exchange of information within this
kings of Pergamon, located on the NE of particular field, focusing on the Athens
the Parthenon, were jointed to produce Acropolis and the Medieval fortifica-
new members. The blocks recommended tion of Heraklion. A similar recording
for storage were given to the Ephorate will be conducted in monuments in Chi-
together with their catalogues; fur- na. This non-intrusive method does not
thermore, all the blocks kept in the old expose the monuments to any danger
Museum, 260 scattered blocks in total, and also has the capacity to collect data
Conserving the entablature of the Propylaia north wing. Photo: K. Frantzikinaki, 2018
were moved elsewhere in order to start The triglyph and the capital of the archaic Parthenon exhibited now at the Acropolis from the last twenty years. The proposal
restoration works in the building. In the Museum. Photo: V. Eleftheriou, 2018
has been approved and the project fiche
summer of 2018 the adhesion of poros
so as to imitate the tool traces of the series of actions related to documenting E. Karakitsou, after entering informa- (further information can be read in an will soon be submitted.
architectural members of large dimen-
sion started, beginning as such the 3rd original fragments and the sealing of the the networks on the rock and the slopes tion concerning moulds and copies of article that follows). Works that remain in suspension is the
phase of fragment adhesion. joints. The restoration of the triglyph, of the Acropolis. casts into a database and completing use of the property at Polygnotou Street,
Finally E. Petropoulou and E. Karaki-
with the collaboration of YSMA’s Office the catalogue of iron clamps from an- use rights of which have been granted
In 2018 the restoration of the triglyph YSMA’s Documentation Office, with Dr tsou wrote the minutes of all ESMA
of Scattered Fragments (E. Sioumpara, cient and older restoration interven- meetings. to YSMA, which intends to convert it
ΑΕ 21432, which came from the archaic E. Lempidaki as its Head, and perma-
L. Zaharopoulos, K. Tsirindoulakis) and tions on the Parthenon, delivered the into the “Charalambos Bouras” Centre
Parthenon, was completed, it had been nent personnel the archaeologists E. Ka- The Office of Information and Educa-
the Office for Surface Conservation works to the Ephorate of Antiquities.
reconstructed with the use of actitis rakitsou and E. Petropoulou, the painter tion employs the archaeologist I. Kaima-
(E. Aggelakopoulou, E. Fragkiadaki, G. Digitisation of drawings and mappings
stone. The latest works comprised the D. Hamopoulou and the IT technician ra, who is the Head of the Office, and the
Frantzi), had started after the late ESMA were carried out while guidelines were
carving off the surfaces of the fillings, G. Alexopoulos increased its personel archaeologists L. Leonti and M. Tsiola-
President Ch. Bouras suggested to the drawn in order to launch a public tender
by employing the archaeologists Dr C. ki; during the works, Ms K. Hadjiaslani,
President of the Acropolis Museum, Pro- for the digitisation of the existing film
Koutsadelis and S. Poulou as well as the the former Head of the Office, assisted
fessor D. Pandermalis to include it in the footage. YSMA also produced copies of
librarian, M. Maznoki. The Office con- in many ways. Among the numerous
permament Museum exhibition. Thus, its documents that were sent to the fa-
tinued its work of documentation and educational programmes, which many
since November 2018 the triglyph is cilities of the National Documentation
management of documents by insert- Center (EKT) for safeguarding. students, pupils and teachers attended,
being exhibited together with a column-
ing into the database material from the there are also programmes addressing
capital coming also from the archaic New information signs containing in-
restoration works of the Parthenon, the children with special needs, such as
Parthenon in the gallery of the archaic formation about the monuments were
Propylaia and the tower of Athena Nike, the students of the Special School for
monuments at the Acropolis Museum. placed on the rock, south from the Par-
and the works of backfilling at the Ere- the Blind at Kallithea. The popular pro-
Finally, works of inserting reports, pho- thenon. gramme “Build your own temple with
chtheion; it has also started collecting
tographs and other information into YS- Lego” was also created by the Office and
documents from the restoration works The Documentation Office organised a
MA’s database continued together with was greatly appreciated during the
of the walls. At the same time the data- variety of activities to promote the res-
the drawing of scattered architectural Christmas holidays by the young visi-
base of AutoCAD files was updated, toration works and inform the public,
members. tors of the Acropolis Museum. The most
while, new documents were being im- among them there were events, publi-
The vacancies that existed in 2016 at ported in the library (books, reports, cations, updates of its website, and the important digital activity of the Office
the Electromechanical Team of YSMA studies, project logs and others), and exhibition “Chisel and Memory: the was the design of the online educational
were filled in September 2017 after finally new content was added into YS- contribution of marble craftsmanship game “An ancient temple”.
recruiting specialised personnel; the per- MA’s library catalogue Openabekt. The to the restoration of monuments”, with In 2018, YSMA and the Ephorate of An-
son in charge of this team is G. Kechagias, photographer T. Souvlakis continued which YSMA and ESMA participated in tiquities of Heraklion participated in
mechanical engineer and museologist. the photographic documentation of the the celebrations of the European Year of the proposal for a research programme
The team during the period 2017-2018, restoration works. Within the context of Cultural Heritage 2018, in collaboration that was submitted by the NTUA, the The listed building which will house the
Recording architectural members at the apart from supporting the worksites of NSRF 2014-2020 a three-year contract with the Directorate of Modern Culture Harokopio University, and private insti- Documentation Center of the Acropolis
area of the Chalkotheke. the monuments restoration, collaborat- was signed for filming selected works and Intangible Cultural Heritage and tutions in the context of an invitation Works «Charalambos Bouras».
Photo: E. Sioumpara, 2018 ed with the Ephorate of Antiquites in a from the restoration of the monuments. the Piraeus Bank Cultural Foundation by EPAnEK for funding works within Photo V.Eleftheriou, 2018Restoring the orthostates of the Parthenon west pediment
for the Documentation of the Acropolis ing programmes (NSRF and PIP) of the have already been removed. Applying
Works. In 2018 the Central Council for works for the restoration and conserva- the acquired experience and knowledge
Modern Monuments approved its new tion of the Acropolis monuments. and with the support of the members
use and the relevant draft study, which For the effective management of the of ESMA, as well as with the collabora-
was written by K. Skaris. In parallel materials P. Karabetsou, Head of the rel- tion with the relevant departments of
with the above, a collaboration memo- evant department and E. Zygouras have the NSRF Task Force of the Ministry of
randum was signed with the Friends of also made an important contribution. Culture and Sports and the Managing
Acropolis Society, while the P. and A. Finally YSMA’s Administration Office, Authority of EPAnEK of the Ministry
Kanellopoulou Foundation decided to despite having only two members of of Development, Competitiveness, In-
subsidize the necessary studies so as staff, Ch. Papanikolaou, in charge and P. frastructure, Transport and Networks,
to propose the work for inclusion in the Konstantopoulos, succeeded in satisfy- we are optimistic that we will complete
next co-funded programmes. ing the administration requirements of Dismantling orthostates of the west tympanum in previous interventions.1902: ΔΤΥ1, part of ΔΤΥ2, part of ΔΤΥ3, ΔΤΥ5, ΔΤΥ8. 2011:
the works within the deadline set and
the Service. ΔΤΥ10. 2017: ΔΤΥ4. 1945: Restoring part of ΔΤΥ6.
Throughout this previous period, YS- deliver to the public the parts of the Par-
Study of the orthostates: V. Manidaki, 2015. Surveying design: V. Eleftheriou – V. Manidaki, 2008.
MA’s Accounting Department, under YSMA, almost twenty years in opera- thenon and the wall restored and secure.
the supervision of P. Katsimichas, and tion, has deployed until today about The structure of the tympanum ing 80cm in length and exceeding the though that Balanos had conducted
its personnel of M. Mouzoura, E. Soula- 52,000,000 € from the National and Eu- The tympanum of the Parthenon’s pedi- ordinary clamps, which range between more interventions on the west tympa-
kou, A. Moshouris and A. Kapalou, has ropean resources in order to realise this
ment comprises ten orthostates in the 30-50cm. num. Out of the eight in situ preserved
contributed a lot not only to the prepara- impressive and successful restoration of
façade (ΤΥ1-ΤΥ10) and a backing wall of orthostates of the west tympanum three
tion and submission of the proposal for the Acropolis monuments. Large parts of Early interventions
fifty-eight blocks of isodomic masonry were totally dismantled (ΔΤ1, ΔΤΥ5,
the funding from NSRF 2014-2020, but the monuments have been restored, as it Vasiliki Eleftheriou In modern times, the court architect
placed on six courses. From the west ped- ΔΤΥ8) and parts of two other (ΔΤΥ2
also to the demanding work of managing is clearly indicated by the new marble Architect Engineer Leo von Klenze, in his general propos-
iment eight out of ten orthostates and and ΔΤΥ3), while four large clamping
the resources taken from the three fund- fillings, while most of the scaffoldings Director of YSMA als of 1834 for interventions on the
two great fragments of the 6th orthostate elements of strong profile were placed
Acropolis monuments, included the ne-
are preserved. Only the 7th orthostate is on the position of the ancient twisted-
cessity to conduct repair works on the
entirely missing. The cross section of all clamps, and sixteen clamps for securing
west pediment. In the period 1836-1842
the four central orthostates, which were the cracks were added; interventions
under the direction of Kyriakos Pitta-
obviously the higher and the heavier were also carried out on the horizontal
kis, the first repair works took place for
blocks of the tympanum differ from the cornices underneath (ΔΓ12, ΔΓ13, ΔΓ14,
the fastening of the central orthostates.
others. Their builders resorted to carving ΔΓ15 and ΔΓ19).
The two large orthostates were secured
part of the invisible side in order to light-
against overturning with the use of Studies on the restoration of the tym-
en them. It is calculated that from the 5th
large connectors that were anchored on panum - Priorities of the rescuing
orthostate (ΔΤΥ5) the removed volume
the backing wall. After the earthquake intervention
of the marble is about 1m3 and 2.8 ton
in 1894, Durm, Penrose and Magne ex- In the recent past, attention has been di-
weight. The three next orthostates on
pressed their concern about the danger rected to the structural problems of the
both sides of the tympanum gable are
of the pediment’s collapse. Durm, espe- west orthostate. In 1997 K. Zambas, civ-
regular, in shape, with a rectangular
cially, suggested that the most appropri- il engineer from the technical office of
cross-section.
ate measure would be the entire restora- the Parthenon (1984-2000), mentioned
Special attention was given in order to tion of the west pediment, with the use in a report that “deterioration has wors-
provide additional security to the hori- of new marble blocks for filling in the en…and that in some cases there is di-
zontal connection of the four central or- tympanum and its backing wall, as well rect danger of big fragments falling off
thostates, with the backing wall. It was as the reconstruction of all fallen cor-
from the monument…”.
used a unique and sophisticated system nices. In 1902, Nikolaos Balanos inter-
of eight pairs of custom-shaped clamps vened on the pediment after completing In 2015, while examining the tympa-
placed in the middle area of the or- works in the west side (1900-1902). Bal- num, after the completion of the resto-
thostates height and the upper surface anos’ report on the restoration works he ration programmes on the two corners
of the middle courses of their backing completed at this area is summed-up in of the Parthenon west side (programme
wall. These clamps have the shape of a a phrase: “the central block of the pedi- 2011-2015), it was documented the un-
twisted double T and are known in the ment was placed back on its original po- stable condition of the central orthos-
bibliography as twisted-clamps. These sition and connected with iron clamps tates. Multiple crackings throughout
clamps are the largest connectors that with the marble wall found behind the the height of the marbles, some of which
A general view of the Acropolis from Philopappou hill. Photo: T. Souvlakis, 2018 have been used in the building, reach- pediment blocks”. Research revealed were caused by the oxidations of the13
clamps used in Balanos intervention, as and thoughts of the participants as well removal of the oxidized clamps from the structural restoration was explored in design the clamping of the orthostates geological layers of the marble, it has
well as fractures on their footing posed as YSMA’s personnel have been pub- previous interventions, the stabilisation an implementation study prepared by J. with the backing wall, dynamic analyses been suggested that the reinforcements
a danger of crumbling that asked for im- lished in the Proceedings of the Meet- of each member, and connecting them Dourakopoulos (Implementation study according to various seismic scenarios, of the structural restoration should
mediate rescuing measures. ing. The decision concerning the entire together by following as much as pos- for the structural restoration of the or- were conducted. These scenarios were traverse horizontally, covering the larg-
or partial completion of the tympanum sible the ancient clamping system. For thostates ΔΤΥ4 and ΔΤΥ5, September represented by the relevant recorded est possible length so as to consolidate
The restoration of the west pediment
is pending to be resolved after more ur- this reason it was found necessary to 2018). There was also extensive collabo- accelerographs, taken from the accel- these cracks and reinforce the ones that
orthostates is part of the 4th sub-pro- ration with A. Vrouva on studying the
gent matters regarding safety will have dismantle the damaged orthostates and erographs catalogue which was com- have yet to appear on opening fracture
gramme that focuses on the west side of seismic behaviour of the pediment. The
been dealt with. the blocks of the backing wall allowing as posed in the context of the research surfaces.
the Parthenon, as it was defined by the restoration of the orthostates as struc-
In 2016 the following studies were sub- such the removal of the clamps used at programme entitled “Choosing the right
“Study for the restoration of the west tural members is expected to be complete The study also highlights that special at-
mitted and approved, “Study on the the Balanos restoration. accelerographs for dynamic analyses of
side of the Parthenon-general organi- by July 2019, while their repositioning tention should be given to both the south
restoration of a tympanum orthostate the Acropolis monuments” (Psycharis
sation of the project and intervention The intervention for safely consolidat- will follow the structural restoration of corner of the orthostate ΔΤΥ5 because of
of the west Parthenon pediment”, by 2014), after having been amplified with
proposals on the two corners of the en- ing the orthostates of the tympanum in- the backing wall scheduled for the mid- its almost horizontal crack through its
the appropriate factors. Finally, the cho-
dle of 2020. width, at a height of about 1.90m from
sen seismic scenarios were applied to the
the orthostate base, and to the area at
Implementation study for the three main directions at the base of the
the south and middle footing of ΔΤΥ4,
structural restoration of the monument.
which after a cannonade it has been bro-
orthostates ΔΤΥ4 and ΔΤΥ5
Because of the serious damage observed ken into many fragments and uneven
Initially, the design of the necessary re-
inforcement for the structural restora- after the orthostates were dismantled, fracture surfaces. For the first case it
tion of the orthostates, based on static as it is thoroughly presented in the has been suggested to place, apart from
calculations with kinematic considera- aforementioned study, according to the horizontal reinforcements, inclined
tions, was performed. Then, in order to which the orthostates mainly exhibit reinforcements in order to strengthen
test the aforementioned results and cracks throughout their width, vertical the horizontal crack and avoid a verti-
along their height and parallel to the cal drilling, in parallel, that is, with the
Numbering the orthostates and twisted-clamps of the Parthenon tympanum (Code of row, number of the orthostate).
Drawing: Manidaki, 2015
tablature” in 2008 by V. Eleftheriou, V. Manidaki and “Structural problems cludes the dismantling, restoration and
V. Manidaki and A. Vrouva. This study of the orthostates of the west pediment, repositioning of 4 orthostates (ΔΤΥ4,
included information on the structure focusing on the risk of their overturn” ΔΤΥ5, ΔΤΥ6α, ΔΤΥ8) and the in situ res-
and pathology of the Parthenon tym- by L. Paleologos; according to them toration of the third orthostate ΔΤΥ3.
panum and also alternative proposals priority was given to taking urgent ac- Out of these 4 orthostates only the 4th
for completing the orthostates with tion and to the implementation, firstly, orthostate was probably intact since
new marble. The study was approved by of the rescuing intervention, which is the antiquity. The project also incorpo-
the Central Archaeological Council in probably the first and most crucial part rates the restoration of the underlying
2008, with a positive decision regard- of a potential planning for an entire horizontal cornices of the central area,
making out. The current restoration because these are the blocks on which
ing the entire filling of the tympanum.
programme is part of the wider pro- the central orthostates are standing and
Since it was expected though to conduct
gramme concerning the west pediment, fixed with dowels (ΔΓ14, ΔΓ15, ΔΓ16,
a special study on the sub-programme,
which involves the restoration of the ΔΓ17, ΔΓ19 and ΔΓ21).
the question of whether the tympanum
would be entirely or partially completed backing wall (study by K. Skaris, 2013).
Commencing the works
was raised again in a questionnaire ad- Main points of the proposed rescue The restoration of the tympanum start-
dressed to the participants of the 6th In- intervention ed in June 2017 by carrying out the
ternational Meeting for the restoration The aim of this rescue intervention is, planned dismantling and taking down
of the Acropolis monuments in 2013. on the one hand, to treat important of the orthostates. Then the clamps of
The two alternative proposals regarding structural problems of the orthostates, the previous restorations were removed
the entire or the partial completion were and on the other, to safely connect them and their fragments were detached. Thus
presented in a poster at the exhibition of then with the backing wall. Treating the total extent of the fractures and any
the Meeting. The theoretical reflections these structural problems assumes the other damages could be assessed. Their Orthostates of the west tympanum ΔΤΥ5 (left) and ΔΤΥ4 (right), east side. Orthophotographs: V. Kyparissi, 201815 The strategic plan for the interventions on the Acropolis walls
clamp (four in ΔΤΥ5 and three in ΔΤΥ4) Preface the Mycenaean period (13th century BC) unfortified sanctuary, especially after
consists of two parts of bended bars that The Acropolis wall is a monument of and parts of this fortification were prob- the construction of the Propylaia (437-
anchor on undamaged areas of both the great historical, archaeological and ably preserved until the Persians invad- 432 BC) that left unfortified the west-
ortostate and the relevant block, and aesthetic importance; thus, the condi- ed Athens and systematically destroyed ern access.
which also have threaded edges that tion of its preservation requires taking it (480-479 BC). The few remnants of In the construction of the Themisto-
will be later used to join them together measures for its consolidation, reno- the Mycenaean wall, constructed in ac-
by using a specially shaped nut. When clean wall architectural members from
vation and protection. Given that, it is cordance with the cyclopean system us-
using the clamp inside the orthostate it archaic buildings, destroyed by the
essential for a consistent restoration ing Acropolis limestone, can be easily
is suggested to use dowels, perpendicular Persians, were incorporated, often pur-
programme to conduct a comprehensive discerned from later fortifications.
to the marble surface, placed in the mid- posefully and not as simple building
study of the historical and structural
dle of its width to minimize the possi- The construction of the new walls seems material. The ensemble of architectural
phases of the monument, its architec-
bility of fragmentation because of the to have started right after the Persian members from the entablature of the
tural documentation, and the exami-
narrow width of the marble. Moreover, Wars, at the time of Themistocles, when Ancient Temple and the Pre-Parthenon
nation of its structural pathology; in
it was found essential to reposition the the north wall of the Acropolis was built column drums are two characteristic
addition, it was considered necessary to
Π-shaped connector that was placed by (479 BC). A few years later the south and examples. In the Cimonian wall the
compose a masterplan focusing primar-
Balanos and joined the orthostate ΔΤΥ4 east walls were erected using plunder isodomic construction system has been
ily on defining the underpinning prin-
with block 4.2 of the backing wall. from Cimon’s victory at the Eurymedon applied with the use of ashlar blocks of
ciples of these interventions.
river (469 or 466 BC), whereas during Actitis stone; yet, in its lowest section
It should be noted that the dynamic
The “Strategic plan for the interventions the construction of the Periclean Par- blocks from the Archaic Parthenon have
analyses conducted in the above-men-
on the walls of the Athenian Acropolis”, thenon (448-437 BC) part of the Cimo- been used, of which we can distinguish
tioned study assumed that every block
realised by YSMA’s Technical Office for nian wall was raised. The walls, apart three architraves.
of the backing wall has been structur-
the Walls during the period between Oc- from their fortification role, functioned
ally restored; that is, the individual The Acropolis remains unfortified un-
tober 2017 and June 2018, focuses on the also as retaining walls of a large vol-
fragments of the blocks were tightly til the Late Roman period (3rd century)
study of the monument’s historical phas- ume of backfilling, extending towards
joined while their original dimensions when its west side is fortified, probably
es, the recent interventions, its architec- the south, which had considerably en-
remained the same. However, while the
tural documentation, the examination larged the surface of the Acropolis. The after the destructive invasion of Her-
study was being carried out, and after
of its pathology and the presentation of Acropolis though, loses very quickly its ules (267 AD) and the dramatic shrink-
dismantling the 4th and 5th courses of
alternative proposals for its restoration. defensive importance and turns into an age of the city. It is then that the Beulé
Orthostates of the tympanum ΔΤΥ4 (above) and ΔΤΥ5 (below). the backing wall, it was revealed that the
Three-dimensional model: Above and below, on left: Different colours indicate the blocks of the 3rd course were in bad pres- It also discusses matters related to the
existence of fragments. Above and below on right: reinforcement of structural restoration. ervation state exposing the existence of coding system of the wall, its structural
Photogrammetry: V. Kyparissi. Model: J. Dourakopoulos monitoring, its archaeological enhance-
multiple fragments; in addition, there
are also indications that many blocks of ment, the restoration of the western
crystal layers of the marble. For the sec- its footing that were used originally to the 2nd course are in a similar condition. foundation wall of the Propylaia north
ond case, regarding the south and mid- set these members and consolidate the As a result, the preservation state of the wing, the problem of rainwater man-
dle footing of ΔΤΥ4, and because of the metal cantilevers under the pedimental orthostates and the blocks of the back- agement on the Acropolis surface, the
oblique fracture surfaces, it is suggested sculptures. It should be pointed out that ing wall does not allow the development building materials of the wall and also
that inclined reinforcements should be the correct seating of the orthostates the materials used for the conservation
of axial forces that correspond to the
placed along the width of the orthostate; plays an important role for their stabil- interventions. The following people par-
dimensions of the cross-sections of the
moreover, some of the fragments, which ity and seismic response, therefore the ticipated in the study: Ch. Pinatsi (ar-
ancient transverse clamps. Therefore,
appropriate works should be conducted chitect), C. Koutsadelis (archaeologist),
cannot be joined with the others or held it is proposed to use the appropriate de-
in order to secure them without though
together with reinforcements because of creased cross-sections so as the fracture E. Kakogiannou (civil engineer), D. Mi-
damaging the ancient surfaces. Moreo-
their small size, should be replaced with of the clamp in the area of the marble chalopoulou (civil engineer), A. Hadji-
ver dowels should be repositioned on the
new marble. surrounding the mortise could happen papa (architect), E. Aggelakopoulou
base of the orthostates.
before any marble cracking. (chemical engineer), E. Xynopoulou
In addition, since the footing of the Finally, regarding the transverse clamps (chemical engineer) and A. Tsimereki
orthostate ΔΤΥ4 has been rendered that join the orthostates with the back- (conservator).
unsafe, even after joining its largest ing wall, and because the cracks are Vasileia Manidaki
ancient fragments, and because of the located in the areas of their anchoring Architect Engineer Historical phases
uneven fracture surfaces along the nar- The Acropolis of Athens was built on a The north wall before Balanos interventions (1898). Among others we can see the wall that
both on the orthostates and the blocks
John Dourakopoulos blocks the classical little gate (area B15), the large block erosion on the lowest dwellings of
row width of the orthostate, it is sug- of the wall, it was found unsafe to restore high ellipsoid rock that dominates the
Dr Civil Engineer the area B16 and the chasm in the east side of the area B17. In the lower part we can see
gested that new marble fillings should the original geometry of the clamps. For landscape of Attica basin. This place the wall of Hypapante (Photographic Archive of the Deutsches Archaeoligisches Institut:
be placed in the rectangular notches on this reason it would be better that every Parthenon Restoration Project was fortified for the first time during DAI-ATH-Acropolis-0323)17
gate with its two towers is built, while strengthened, adapted to the demands buildings, including the battlements ing wall of the northwest terrace (1878),
during the same period or little later of the recently introduced technology and fortifications of the west side. From and by N. Balanos on the Athena Nike
(3rd or 4th century) the eastern part of of firearms. The powerful earthquake of the middle of the 19th century to the tower (1937-1938), both manifesting in-
the north wall is reconstructed from 1705 makes necessary the extensive re- middle of the 20th century the walls tentions to restore their classical form.
scratch and the north edge of the east- pair of the walls and in some cases even are subject to successive consolidation Similar intentions, but through dif-
ern wall is raised higher. This building their total reconstruction. Moreover, interventions. On the north wall impor- ferent means, can be also discerned in
phase, incorporating alternating zones the fierce battles that took place around tant interventions were carried out by the intervention of A. Orlandos in the
of lower and greater height and blocks the Acropolis during the Greek War of N. Balanos, which aimed at its system- southeast corner of the wall, in which
of grey and white colour, has an explicit Independence (1821-1830) cause seri- atic consolidation, during the period there is an attempt to imitate the an-
morphological intention, in contrast ous damages. Thus, we can attribute to 1899-1910, and at securing the rocky cient isodomic masonry with mortar.
with the interventions that would fol- the Ottoman period the extensive con- mass of the north slope in the years
1934-1935. Hence, the present appearance of the
low. solidation interventions with the use of
Acropolis walls is the result of consecu-
rubble masonry on the exterior face of As for the south and east wall, despite
Throughout the Byzantine period the tive interventions on the walls of the
the wall as well as the re-building of en- some local interventions conducted by
defence system of the Late Roman pe- Classical period starting from the Late
tire parts of it in the vicinity of the My- N. Balanos, its present form is to a large
riod seems to be retained without any Roman era until nowadays, yet, most of
cenaean stairway and in the middle of degree the result of a comprehensive
important changes. On the contrary, these interventions do not possess any
the east side of the Acropolis. Ottoman restoration programme carried out by A.
during the period of Frankokratia distinct characteristics. The enhance-
(1204-1456), attention is paid to the for- interventions often cover the ancient Orlandos during the period 1947-1950.
structures to such a degree that give the ment of those historical phases with
tification of the Acropolis once again, The interventions on the wall, having architectural aspirations still remains
The north wall during the Balanos interventions (1904). The classical little gate has opened false impression that the latter has not
and the consolidation of the lowest part of the area B16 has been conducted with the
as it hosts now the palace of the sov- mainly a rescuing character, depending a challenge and should be one of the
ereigns. The most emblematic work of been preserved, as for example the west
use of rectangular blocks, while the restoration of the area B17 is being carried out. The on the case include the consolidation, main objectives of the future restora-
intervention of L. Kaftantzoglou (1878) on the northwest retaining wall had already been that period is the construction of a high part of the south wall.
restoration or re-building with rubble tion interventions. In addition to the
concluded (Photographic Archive of the Deutsches Archaeoligisches Institut: DAI-ATH- rectangular tower on the south wing of Interventions on the wall in the 19th the crumbling Ottoman masonry. Few above we should not overlook the his-
Acropolis-0617)
the Propylaia, while on the whole they and 20th centuries are the cases of interventions with ar- torical significance of the walls, as they
cautiously re-organise and reinforce the The Ottoman garrison withdraws from chitectural aspirations, beyond their comprise the history of the city of Ath-
fortification of the west side. However, the Acropolis in 1833 and immediately consolidation character. Among them ens from its very beginning until today.
after systematically dismantling the afterward systematic works start for there are the interventions carried out Enhancing thus the architectural value
medieval and later fortifications the re- dismantling the medieval and Ottoman by L. Kaftantzoglou on the west retain- of the walls of the Athenian Acropolis
maining parts that belong to the above
without erasing its historical memory
historical periods are rather scarce.
constitute a major challenge for the cur-
Among them there are seven buttresses rent restoration project.
on the east part of the south wall that
had been added to reinforce its bearing The pathology of the walls
capacity. These buttresses were con- The objective of examining the struc-
structed with massive blocks in second tural pathology of the walls is to docu-
use, together with straight rows of intact ment their present condition and hence
new bricks. It is worth noticing that re- identify areas that appear unsafe and
liefs were used in the 8th from the east request a structural study and possible
buttress, probably either for aesthetic consolidation plan.
reasons or for averting evil; in one of The technical description of the pathol-
these a protruding cross can be seen. In ogy is supplemented by drawings that
the parts of the wall between the but- map the pathology of the exterior part
tresses there are many areas that can of the walls surrounding the Acropolis
also be dated to the Byzantine or Frank- rock; it also includes extensive photo-
ish period, but we still need to investi-
graphic material. Moreover, the retain-
gate this matter further.
ing walls that were built by Balanos in
The northern slope of the Acropolis after the consolidation of the rock and parts of the The area between the 9th and 10th buttress during the Balanos intervention (1938). On
northern wall by Balanos, in the period 1934-35. The massive walls retaining the rock mass
During the Ottoman period (1456- 1934 for the retention of the rock mass
the right there is the area of another intervention also conducted by him in 1919 (pho-
were constructed in the framework of this intervention (American School of Classical Stud- 1833) the fortifications of the western tographer: Voglis) Photographic Archive of the Directorate for the Restoration of Ancient
near the middle of the north side are
ies in Athens, Archives, Archaeological Photographic Collection: AK 1233) side of the Acropolis were significantly Monuments) also examined.19
For every side of the wall, the areas are
grouped according to the structural pa-
thology they present, which is generally
divided into two categories: in the defor-
mation of the load bearing structure (ro-
tation, displacement, barreling) and in
the deterioration of the structural ma-
terials (cracks, fractures, weathering,
material degradation, mortar erosion).
Hence, the areas that have been charac-
terized unstable are presented below.
It must be noted that every area corre-
sponds to a photogrammetric sign and is
coded under a capital Greek letter and a
serial number. The letter denotes the ori-
entation of the corresponding side of the
wall (B/N/A/Δ), and the number the or-
The Orlandos intervention on the eastern part of the south wall (1947).
der the relevant area is found, from the
(Photographic Archive of the Directorate for the Restoration of the Ancient Monuments)
east to the west or from the north to the
south.
local curvatures are observed on the (NW terrace area), Δ5 (north tower of
On the north wall the areas Β3, Β12 and claddings, which may include part of the Beulé gate - western view), Δ9- Δ10
Β17 are highlighted, as inclinations re- the ancient construction. Due to the (south tower of the Beulé gate).
lating to the vertical axis and localized fact that the exterior claddings block Within the context of trying to detect
curvatures can be observed. In the ar- visual inspection of the ancient con- the pathology of the walls it has been
eas Β4, Β15, Β16, Β17 parts of the block struction, it is difficult to decide and recommended that mechanical crack-
structures are displaced to such a de- conduct a study on how to intervene in meters should be immediately placed on
gree that large gaps are revealed. these specific areas. the cracks of the walls in order to moni-
In the area of the southeast corner it is The main problem, apparent through- tor their development and measure pos-
observed loss of the structural continu- out the length of the south wall, is hu- sible micro-movements. We suggest that
ity of the wall due to breaks of stones 40 mechanical crackmeters be placed, North wall of the Acropolis, areas Β16-Β17. Indicative presentation of the documentation and analysis of the present state of a wall sec-
midity, as it can be seen to cover an
the majority of which are positioned in tion. Above: Historical phases. (Study: C. Koutsadelis, Ch. Pinatsi. Drawing: Ch. Pinatsi, J. Trihakis). Below: Pathology (Study: E. Kakogian-
and extensive cracks that traverse this extensive area of the exterior part, pre- nou. Background: Ch. Pinatsi). Photogrammetric survey: Study for the development of GIS on the Acropolis of Athens, 2009
specific area from the crown to the base senting “damp parts” on the claddings. the area of the SE corner and the NW
of both sides of the corner, at a distance In many parts this has led to the ero- terrace. The low cost of the crackmeters
of a few meters from the edge. sion of the mortars used for the rubble allows their application in large num-
masonry construction, leading to the bers.
As for the south wall, emphasis should
be given on its function as a retaining creation of gaps between the blocks, The suggested positions of the mecha-
wall because it receives strong lateral displacements, or fragmentations that nical crackmeters can be seen in the
earth pressures (active earth pressures) may lead to collapses. The above dam- drawings mapping the pathology of the
from the backfilling, which needs to be ages are more severe in the 7th buttress walls. Finally, there has been an effort
withheld. This backfilling, which was from the east, as well as in the area be- to compare the section drawings of the
used to increase the level at the required tween the 11th-12th buttresses, where an walls found in the bibliography with the
height of the classical temples, is espe- extensive reduction in the mass of the sections produced by the photogram-
cially high (reaching 18m – 20m at the construction material can be seen. metric survey; these drawings are also
south-east corner of the Parthenon) be- included in the study.
In the western wall, concavity can be
cause of the morphology of the rock on
observed in parts of the NW terrace area Architectural study
this side.
and the north tower of the Beulé gate. The architectural study of the Acropo-
In the areas between the 6th - 7th and 9th- Extensive use of incompatible mate- lis walls includes the documentation of North wall of the Acropolis, areas B16-B17. Proposal. Drawing: Ch. Pinatsi. Photogrammetric survey: Study for the development of GIS on
10th buttress, counting from the east, rials can be noticed in the areas Δ2 the monument and the presentation of a the Acropolis of Athens, 2009You can also read
