May 14, 2009, 12:21 GMT
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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