Athens CNN —The Acropolis in Greece shut for hours, record-breaking ocean temperatures off Croatia and plans to feed zoo animals popsicles in Italy — southern Europe is baking under a “hellishly hot” heat wave. If you don’t come prepared, you’re going to sweat.”Tourists leave the Acropolis hill in Athens, on July 17, 2024. The site was shut at 12 p.m. for five hours to keep visitors out of the heat. Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesThe heat has come largely from hot air blowing in from Africa, which meteorologists forecast will continue through Sunday. The brutal heat wave hitting southern Europe has so far spared Paris, which is set to host the Olympics later this month.

---

Persons: ”, Toby Dunlap, Nikolas Kokovlis, Carmen Díaz, “, Patrizia Valerio, goer Mattia Rossi, ” Rossi Organizations: Athens CNN, Culture Ministry, Cross, Tourists, Aris Oikonomou, Getty Locations: Athens, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Europe, Pennsylvania, AFP, Africa, Basilicata, Palermo, Sicily, Verona, Rome, Madrid, Varese, Balkans, Dubrovnik, Serbia, Albania, Neighboring, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey, Paris