Elevator Problems Hinder Access at the Acropolis

As tourist season gets fully underway, an elevator at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, that “works two days out of seven,” at best, according to a tourism official, is hindering accessibility at the ancient citadel, Tovima reports. The source illustrated the problem with a recent account of a wheelchair-bound woman riding the elevator up to the top of the Sacred Rock to take in views, only to find it no longer working when she was ready to make her way back down. Firefighters had to assist her. “This was not an isolated incident,” Tovima observed, pointing out similar incidents that occurred last summer. Even when the lift is working, tour guides accompanying disabled visitors are not permitted to ride it, which results in tourists arriving at the top at least 15 min ahead of their guides. Tour guides have grown increasingly vocal about the Acropolis’ accessibility issues, but it is unclear if, or when, a solution will be found.