Temple Frieze Being Removed in Athens

The ancient frieze adorning the small Temple of Athena Nike near the entrance to the Acropolis, unable to withstand acid rain and polluted air, is being dismantled for restoration and cleaning. It will never be returned to the temple.

Sculptures of Athena, Zeus, Aphrodite and other divinities in the frieze, as well as scenes from the battle of Plataea in 479 B.C., will be stored until a proposed new Acropolis museum is completed. Cement replicas will take their place.

The painstaking process of dismantling the relief is scheduled to be completed within two months, Acropolis curator Ismini Trianti said. The 18-inch-high frieze consists of 14 panels. Four were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century and are in the British Museum in London.