Greece 21: Athens - The Acropolis Museum

 

At the beginning of the nineteenth century the seventh Earl of Elgin arranged for about half the sculptures on the Parthenon to be shipped to England.  Ditto with a lot of the other sculptures on the Acropolis.  Lord Elgin claimed he had permission from the Turkish government, but no relevant document has been found.

A  joke I heard recently: Why are there pyramids in Egypt?  They wouldn't fit in the British Museum. 

Pretty much since Greek became independent in 1831 they have been asking for the Elgin Marbles to be returned.  As I understand it Britain's reply was that Greece had nowhere suitable to display them.  Recently Greece built a magnificent Acropolis Museum.  Now I believe Britain's explanation is, oh, sorry, the other phone is ringing, I have to get this.

The top floor of the museum is the place to start.  It is a space the size of the Parthenon so you can walk around it, seeing copies of the art which would be there if it wasn't in London.

The other floors contain art found on or near the Acropolis.

Next stop: Athens - The National Archaeological Museum