The Acropolis is closed due to extreme heat.

The reason is the expected temperature of 43 degrees. Delivery services will also stop working in the afternoon.

The heatwave that has been raging since early July reached a new peak in large parts of Greece on Thursday. The culture ministry announced that with local temperatures set to exceed 43 degrees, all archaeological sites will be closed between 12 noon and 5 p.m. local time. Among the affected areas are the monuments of Athens, the Acropolis and the ancient site of Olympia.

The Civil Defense warned of the risk of a major fire in most areas of central and southern Greece. A spokesman for the fire department told Greek television that even the smallest fire could turn into a major one due to the drought and strong winds currently blowing around the Aegean Sea.

The situation is somewhat better on Crete and the Aegean islands. The meteorological office said the sea breeze there was cooling things down slightly to around 35 degrees.

The Ministry of Labor ordered the suspension of all delivery services during the hot afternoon hours (12 noon to 5 p.m.). Construction work was also halted at lunchtime for the next five hours. According to the Ministry of Labor, anyone can work from home. Meteorologists said on the radio that the temperature under the sun could reach values ​​​​of more than 60 degrees. This was said to be life-threatening.

tropical nights

Warm air masses have been pouring in from North Africa for weeks and are causing problems for people in large parts of southeastern Europe. Even at night, thermometers are showing values ​​above 30 degrees in most areas. Meteorologists cannot say exactly when this persistent heat will end. “Maybe next weekend,” they unanimously estimate on Greek radio.