Cleaning and maintenance work on the marble of the Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaro, began Monday morning, marking the first systematic restoration of the historic monument’s marble in 120 years, since the first modern Olympics were held in Athens in 1896.
Work started at the stadium’s sphendone – horseshoe-shaped rear section – and is expected to finish by September 10, ahead of the torchlighting and handover ceremony for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Work will then continue across the entire stadium, with completion expected this year.
Hellenic Olympic Committee president Isidoros Kouvelos said in a statement the committee was “particularly proud” of the project, carried out under architect-archaeologist Manolis Korres and Culture Ministry conservators.
