ABSTRACT
In an archaeological site open for the public, such as the Acropolis of Athens, where more than 20,000 visitors visit it daily, during the peak season, it is necessary to have a complete Risk Management Plan. The monuments of the Acropolis of Athens have systematically been under conservation and restored over the last forty years thanks to the efforts of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the funding from both the state budget (~25%) and the European Union (~75%). The work to date is carried out under the scientific responsibility of the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments (ESMA) and since 1999 the interventions have been undertaken by a special service of the Ministry of Culture, the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA). These interventions mainly concern (so far) the monuments of the Age of Pericles in the Acropolis, such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaea and the circuit walls, a monument that includes until today more phases. This paper presents the restoration operation of Propylaea which began in the early 80’s and after the preparation of the relevant studies was completed in late 2015. The aim of this work is, after presenting the recent interventions, with their reasons, principles, methods and objectives, to highlight the primary role of restoration among the necessary actions in the preparation of a Risk Management Plan at an archaeological site. Especially in the Propylaea, a monument from which thousands of visitors pass daily when entering and exiting the Acropolis of Athens, the restoration as an action inside the R.M.P., as it is understood, acquires a special character.
