Greece's Culture Ministry took the unprecedented step of closing the Acropolis, the country's most iconic cultural site, for several hours on Wednesday due to scorching temperatures. The heat wave, fueled by hot air from Africa, is expected to persist for several more days, with temperatures soaring to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit).
Athens residents and tourists were advised to stay indoors during peak hours and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. The Red Cross distributed chilled water to visitors waiting in line to enter the Acropolis, where temperatures were particularly intense.
