Műemlék-helyreállítások tegnap, ma, holnap (A 27. Egri Nyári Egyetem előadásai 1997 Eger, 1997)
Előadások - Ismini TRIANTI: Restoration work carried out on the Acropolis of Athen
MINI TRIANTl RESTORATION WORK CARRIED OUT ON THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHEN Balanos'extensive restoration work on the Acropolis which began in 1895 and lasted until 1930ies, gave the Acropolis Monuments their present form. It is only in 1975 that the State realized that the monuments needed effected measures, because the danger of deterioration became too obvious. The Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments was then founded and went to work. The extensive interventions of the last twenty years on the Acropolis monuments are not decided only because of the destructive effects of the atmospheric pollution. It aims chiefly at amending the various types of structural damage that has been sustained by the buildings during the long course of their existence. Some of this damage is recent and is due primarily to the oxydation and expansion of the iron ties and cramps that were incorporated into the marble members during the restorations of Balanos at the beginning of the century. The planned programm of the works aims in general at: 1. The removal of the causes of the continuing deterioration. 2. The better conservation of the monuments after the work is completed. 3. The reversibility on any intervention. 4. The improvement of the aesthetic and informative value of the monuments. The works of Conservation of the monuments of the Acropolis is a State Programm and is founded mainly by the Greek Government. From 1983 onwards, there has also been a major financial contribution from the European Community. The works are carried out on the basis of studies which, in accordance with the legal and scholarly scientific requirements, have previously been approved by the appropriate State Services after critical evaluation. Extensive machinery and equipment is used in the work, including two electric cranes, which can be seen from the city only when they are actually working, a portal crane, other, smaller lifting tackle, a pantográf for carving three-dimensional forms in marble, metal scaffolding etc. THEERECHTEION The Committee decided to concentrate its efforts primarily on the Erechtheion constructed probably during the years of the peace of Nikias, between 421 and 415 B. C. , and accomplished in 408. B. C. The extremely complicated plan of the temple is due probably to the fact that it had to shelter various older sanctuaries and sacred spots. It is divided in two parts dedicated to Athena Polias and Poseidon Erechtheus. The east entrance has six ionic columns, while one more entrance with a portico is in the north side, one in the west and yet another in the south, with the famous portico of the caryatides. The restoration work on the Erechtheion lasted eight years from 1979 to 1987 and was carried out by the architect Alekos Papanikolaou and the civil engcneer Kostas Zambas.
