For the first time in years, the Acropolis in Athens will be closed on the night of the August full moon next week, due to a pay dispute. The culture and tourism ministry says the citadel is not among the 92 sites and museums to open by moonlight Aug. 24 — the one night a year the public can enter monuments after sundown. A ministry statement Friday said guards demanded more than their legal pay to work at night. Guards claim they were asked to work for free, and then offered less than last year.
For the past few years, the Greek government has thrown open a selection of the best archaeological sites in Greece during the night of the full moon in August. Last year's list of dozens of participating archaeological sites includes the Acropolis, the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, and ancient Olympia. The Acropolis and Cape Sounion, because of their particular beauty and easy tourist access, are likely to be very busy, so get there early.
Usually, there are music and dance events scheduled at some of the sites.
Admission is free. The date varies based on the night the moon is fullest. Other good full-moon destinations include performances at the Lycabettus Theater, Pnyx Hill near the Acropolis, and performances at the Herod Atticus theater, all of which are dazzling in the moonlight.
20.08.2010
