ESMA- Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments

The Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments (ESMA) is an interdisciplinary body of top specialists in various fields (architects, archeologists, structural and chemical engineers and conservators), which since 1975 has been dedicated – gratuitously – to the planning, directing and supervising of the restoration works on the Athenian Acropolis, supreme monument of European culture. The Acropolis restoration project comprises structural restoration and anastelosis interventions (the use of reassembled original material), surface conservation works, extensive documentation procedures, the implementation of educational programmes and the dissemination of the results and achievements both to the academic community and to the wider public. The expertise acquired during the over 35 years of execution of the Acropolis restoration works, planned, directed and supervised by the ESMA, forms the modern Greek approach (‘school’) to the restoration of classical monuments. It exercises a considerable and beneficial impact on similar projects on Greco-Roman monuments in the Mediterranean region.

“For 37 years the Committee for the Preservation of the Acropolis Monuments has carefully planned and guided the conservation of one of the most iconic sites of European culture. The results of their advice can be seen in the quality of the work, its reversible nature, the use of compatible new materials, scholarly research, the use of traditional marble cutting techniques and the documentation of the work, all to the highest standard. The Jury saw this as an outstanding example of dedicated service to monument protection.”

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