Acropolis closes to protect tourists as Greece faces unprecedented heatwave

Tourists at the Acropolis on Thursday, a day before extreme heat forced officials to close the historic site early. Photograph: Petros Giannakouris/AP

The Greeks know a thing or two about heat, and they know a thing or two about dealing with it. But last week saw heat of an altogether different order.

Temperatures were of such magnitude that they called for measures never before seen in a country that prides itself on being the first in Europe to have appointed an official dedicated solely to dealing with the challenges of global heating.