Athens - Greece is to ban chewing gum and high heels at
parts of the Acropolis , saying they are inflicting irreparable
damage on the ancient monument.
The new law will apply to tourists and visitors to the Herod
Atticus theatre, located at the foot of the famous site.
For years, archaeologists have been begging audiences attending
plays and concerts to respect the delicate marble surrounding of the
ancient theatre, but to no avail.
Now the culture ministry is making that request a possible
criminal offence.
Culture Minister Antonis Samaras submitted a draft law to
parliament Thursday, saying anyone caught chewing gum or wearing
heels could risk a hefty fine and arrest.
The archaeologists claim the more than 350,000 annual visitors to
the Odeon of Herod Atticus are now detrimental to the venue.
Two years ago, cleaning crews reportedly removed 27 kilos of
chewing gum from the theatre's marble seats. The situation is
thought to be the same at the other ancient Epidavos theatre in the
Peloponnese.
The amphitheatre, located on the south slope of the Acropolis, was
built in 161 AD by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia
Annia Regilla and has a capacity of 5,000.
Restored using pentelic marble in the 1950s, it has been one of
the main venues of the Athens Festival and has hosted Maria Calla and
the Bolshoi Ballet.
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