Acropolis sculptures to be moved into new museum

May 30, 2007, 12:07 GMT

Athens - More than 300 sculptures currently housed on the ancient Acropolis are due to be moved into a new museum by September, Greek officials said Wednesday.

The sculptures, dating from the 5th century BC and weighing up to 2.5 tons each, are to be moved with the help of three of the largest lifting cranes in Europe from the small museum on the ancient rock to a new glass and concrete building that is being completed near the Acropolis.

Officials at the Culture Ministry said all the exhibits, including sections of the Parthenon frieze, would be transferred in September so the new 20,000-square-metre museum could open to the public in early 2008.

Culture Minister Giorgos Vougarakis said the government was still examining ways of insuring the artifacts against damage. The entire operation is expected to cost 2.5 million euros.

He said the antiquities would be wrapped in protective packaging and put into crates. They are due to be transferred in three stages. The cranes would be placed some 100 metres apart and the crates would be relayed between them.

The final crane would then lower the crates onto the museum's first or third-floor balconies so that the artifacts could be placed inside the building.

The new museum was initially expected to be completed in time for the 2004 Olympics but was delayed by new archaeological discoveries and legal disputes.

The building, designed by US architect Bernard Tschumi and Greek architect Michael Photiades, will include a specially designed glass exhibit hall containing the Parthenon sculptures.

The glass hall is intended to allow visitors a direct view of the ancient temple.

A number of the Parthenon sculptures are currently housed at the British Museum in London, and Greece has been fighting an ongoing campaign for their return.