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In pictures: Greece's Acropolis blanketed in snow

Getty Images Ancient Agora archaeological site during a heavy snowfall in AthensGetty Images
The storm has been dubbed "Medea" after the mythical Greek sorceress of the Argonauts

Unusually heavy snowfall has blanketed parts of Greece, including the ancient monuments of the Acropolis of Athens.

Temperatures as low as -19C (-2.2F) have been recorded in the north-western city of Florina, as the snow disrupted transport and halted some coronavirus vaccinations.

At least three deaths have been blamed on the freezing conditions and extra supplies have been sent to refugee camps hit by low temperatures.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged people to stay at home.

AFP A man holding an umbrella in snow near the Roman Agora in central AthensAFP
Some of the city's best known monuments have been blanketed by the snow
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AFP A snowman is pictured with the Parthenon temple atop the Athenian Acropolis hillAFP
An Ancient-Greek themed snowman was spotted on Athens' Acropolis hill
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Getty Images A man takes photos of The Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill archaeological siteGetty Images
The snow is the heaviest in Athens since 2008, according to meteorologist Costas Lagouvardos

"Our big concern is the electricity grid," the prime minister said after an emergency cabinet meeting. "We need patience to resolve this problem which is truly exceptional."

Police said there had been almost 250 calls for help from people trapped in cars and homes, according to Reuters.

Covid-19 vaccinations were postponed in the capital, Athens, where roads were closed and public transport disrupted by the storm.

Ferry travel has also been interrupted by the wintery weather conditions and high winds.

Getty Images A man takes a photograph at the popular touristic area of Plaka during a heavy snowfall in AthensGetty Images
The usually popular tourist area of Plaka was quiet amid the snowfall and ongoing pandemic
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AFP This picture shows the hill of Lycabettus with people braving rare heavy snowfall in the city of AthensAFP
One photographer captured a beautiful sky above the hill of Lycabettus

Some people appeared to enjoy the unusual weather in central Athens with Norway's ambassador to Greece sharing a video of himself using alternative transport.

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The cold weather arrived at the weekend but conditions are expected to become warmer over the week ahead.

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