Greece's new Acropolis museum to open doors in June

Athens - After years of delays, Greece's new Acropolis Museum, located at the foot of the ancient Parthenon, will open its doors to the public in June, a government official said Friday. Dozens of ancient statues await their final display at the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, 05 November 2008. The new museum is expected to open on March 2009. EPA/SIMELA PANTZARTZI

Dozens of ancient statues await their final display at the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, 05 November 2008. The new museum is expected to open on March 2009. EPA/SIMELA PANTZARTZICulture Minister Antonis Samaras said the opening ceremony for the large glass and concrete structure will take place on June 20. The Acropolis Museum was designed by New York architect Bernard Tschumi to offer visitors contact with the Acropolis through transparent glass. The new museum is the Greek government's key argument for the return of the Parthenon, or Elgin, Marbles from Britain. Lord Elgin, Britain's ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, removed the friezes from the temple some 200 years ago and sold them to the British Museum in London, where they are housed in a special gallery. The temple dates from the 5th century BC. Greece has for decades fought to get them back. However, the British Museum has repeatedly refused to relinquish the priceless sculptures, which include 160 metres of depictions of religious and mythological scenes. The British Museum insists that the transaction was legal, as Elgin obtained permission to remove them from Greece's then rulers, the Ottoman Empire. London has also argued that Athens lacks a proper display space. For years, the 100-million-euro museum has been plagued by legal battles leading to extensive delays. Once completed it will be ready to receive up to 10,000 visitors a day.