Inclined lift to the Acropolis

On 3 December, Maspero Elevatori officially handed over to the Onassis Foundation and to the Greek State the inclined panoramic lift that the company has made to measure to enable equal access to the Acropolis of Athens.

Maspero Elevatori – specialised in the design, construction and maintenance of special and high-quality lift systems for people and goods – was awarded the contract in February 2020.

Photo: © Acropolis Sborisov_123rf.com

The installation, which will allow the transport of wheelchairs, shall not only solves a practical problem, but also has a symbolic value by making access to a monument that is an integral part of the country's cultural legacy as well as the UNESCO heritage of humanity since 1987, stresses the company.

"What we have created at the Acropolis is a complete project, built based on the topography of the area and geotechnical data, which also saw us involved in the design and construction of the support structures for the running track”, comments Andrea Maspero, CEO of Maspero Elevatori.

Aesthetic harmony with the Parthenon

The work was conducted in close collaboration with the Onassis Foundation, the Greek Ministry of Culture and the archaeologists of the Central Archaeological Council to develop the best solution not only from a technical and safety point of view, but also in aesthetic harmony with a monument such as the Parthenon.

Photo: © Maspero Elevatori

The lift, which in its travel has a change of inclination which goes from 38° to 78° in just over 40 meters, connects Peripatos with Erechtheum on the north side of the Acropolis in just thirty-two seconds. The cabin has a load capacity of 1,250 kilograms and can carry up to 16 people (2 people in wheelchairs with their attendants).

The system was designed to be able to transport an ambulance stretcher with a companion in an emergency. The cabin, made of laminated glass, is completely transparent and offers passengers the opportunity to enjoy a “unique view”, stresses Maspero Elevatori.

Safety on a difficult path

The technological devices made by Maspero Elevatori for this inclined lift allow for speed of ascent and descent and guarantee transport in safety on a decidedly difficult path.

Photo: © Andreas Simopoulos

During the movement, a mechanical safety system ensures the levelling of the cabin. In addition, an electronic control system monitors the maintenance of the correct speed and, in the absence of electrical power supply, brings the lift back to the floor.

A computerized signalling system is also able, through five sensors, which are programmed to measure any fault or problem, to promptly notify the anomaly, automatically activating emergency procedures in case of damage to the appliance, seismic shocks, strong wind, ice or with people stucked in the cabin.

Equipped with sensors

Photo: © Andreas Simopoulos

In order to adapt to the geographical area, which is characterized by even very harsh winters, the inclined lift is equipped with sensors that, when very low external temperatures are reached, activate it every 10 minutes to avoid the creation of ice on the runways that could compromise the route.

The inclined lift of Maspero Elevatori was approved by a notified body for the market for electrically operated lifts with an inclined track according to the Lift Directive 2014/33/EU together with the European standard EN 81-22 harmonized under it.

More information: maspero.com/en/