Athens' marble stadium gets first deep clean in over a century

Athens' iconic Panathenaic Stadium, a U-shaped marvel constructed entirely of white marble, is undergoing a meticulous cleaning for the first time in over a century. This historic venue, which has hosted marathon runners, rock stars, and the first modern Olympians, also serves as the ceremonial departure point for the Olympic flame, including for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Games.

“

The goal of cleaning is not to make everything white. It’s to remove the dirt and the first layers of organic material that are deposited on the surface.

The cleaning operation is a delicate task, given the stadium's marble construction, which is similar to that of the Acropolis. The process involves specialized crews using thin spray lances with clean water at carefully controlled low pressure, while machines vacuum up the runoff. "The goal of cleaning is not to make everything white. It's to remove the dirt and the first layers of organic material that are deposited on the surface," explained Dimitris Selemis, a senior conservator at the site. He added that the cleaning helps in better understanding the monument, especially in areas with less direct sunlight where weed growth and dirt accumulate.

“

The idea is to clean all the material that (contains) dirt from the surface, so we have a better understanding of the monument.

Crews are also employing steam to tackle stubborn stains, such as chewing gum, which has turned black over time. Stadium officials note that chewing gum, high heels, and soft-drink spills are primary culprits for staining the marble. The restoration efforts are gradually revealing the venue's original gleaming appearance, earning it the Greek nickname "Kallimarmaro," meaning "beautiful marble." "We are very proud of it," stated Isidoros Kouvelos, president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. "It needed to be cleaned of everything that has accumulated over all these years. This way the Panathenaic Stadium will show all its brilliance and will once again be the foremost monument of humanity for the Olympic Movement."

“

We call it Kallimarmaro because it is made of the finest marble, the best that was ever produced ... We are very proud of it.

Beyond the cleaning, the Kallimarmaro is set to receive a new track, modernized lighting, and enhanced support facilities. This comprehensive renovation project is privately funded by a shipping company and is being managed by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, with guidance from Culture Ministry experts. While the work is slated to continue through 2026, the current focus is on the stadium's "sling."

“

It needed to be cleaned of everything that has accumulated over all these years. This way the Panathenaic Stadium will show all its brilliance and will once again be the foremost monument of humanity for the Olympic Movement.