ATHENS, July 2 (RIA Novosti) - Athens' Acropolis archeological museum has closed its doors to the public to prepare its collection for transportation to a new site a few hundred yards down the hill, Greece's Culture Ministry said Monday.
The ministry said the museum's ancient sculptures and friezes are about to be moved to a building at the foot of the Acropolis Hill, due to open in early 2008. The objects are currently housed in an hilltop building beside the Parthenon.
Designed by Swiss-born American architect Bernard Tschumi, the project was originally supposed to be launched by the 2004 Summer Olympics.
A rectangular glass gallery designed especially to house a section of the original Parthenon frieze taken to Britain two centuries ago will have to remain empty for the time being.
Greek authorities have long campaigned for the marbles, now held at London's British Museum, to be returned to Athens, but their efforts have been unsuccessful so far.
