Tue Jul 08 11:45:49 UTC 2025: ## News Article: Acropolis Closes as Scorching Heatwave Grips Greece

**Athens, Greece** – The Acropolis, Greece’s iconic 2,500-year-old landmark, was closed to the public on Tuesday due to a severe heatwave baking the country. Temperatures soaring above 40C (104F) prompted the Greek Ministry of Culture to shut down the site until 5pm, prioritizing the safety of both visitors and workers.

This marks Greece’s second severe heatwave since late June, with meteorologists predicting temperatures could peak at 42C (107.6F) in some regions. Athens is facing highs of 38C (100.4F), with similar conditions expected on Wednesday.

In addition to the Acropolis closure, the Greek Ministry of Labour has mandated a work pause from noon to 5pm in several regions, including popular tourist islands, to protect outdoor laborers from the intense heat. This affects jobs like construction and food delivery.

The extreme heat has also raised significant fire concerns. Civil protection officials have issued high-risk warnings for areas including greater Athens, central Greece, and the Peloponnese, with the fire service already battling approximately 50 blazes daily.

The severe weather is not confined to Greece. Across the Balkans, countries are battling a range of extreme conditions. In Serbia, elevated fire risks follow a surge in wildfires, while other areas face threats of hail and hurricane-force winds. Croatia has been hit with storms, causing injuries and widespread damage from flooding, downed trees, and power outages. Neighboring Hungary and Slovakia have also suffered from intense storms, with high winds causing significant damage to infrastructure and transportation.

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