The Panathenaic Stadium, a landmark site in Athens known for being the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, has begun a comprehensive cleaning and restoration project. This marks the first time in over a century that the venue has undergone such an extensive maintenance process. Originally constructed in antiquity and rebuilt for the 1896 Olympic Games, the stadium remains a significant cultural and historical monument.

While the structure has been maintained for public use and tourism over the decades, this specific project focuses on removing environmental pollutants and grime that have accumulated on the marble surfaces over the last hundred years. The restoration is intended to stabilize the material and restore the aesthetic appearance of the stone, which is susceptible to weathering and urban pollution. The project highlights the ongoing challenges of preserving ancient and 19th-century architecture in a modern, high-traffic urban environment. No timeline for the completion of the cleaning has been provided, though officials have noted that the site remains a focal point for both local heritage and international tourism.