19 th century: A British ambassador removes some of the finest sculptures from the Acropolis of Athens. The sculptures are shipped to Britain, ending up in the British Museum in London. 20 th century: UNESCO designates the Acropolis of Athens as a world heritage site. It recognises the Acropolis of Athens as the symbol of world heritage itself. 21 st century: The international community recognises and strongly supports the necessity for the return of the seized marbles to Athens. The Acropolis Museum is ready to house the complete set of the sculptures in Athens, under the best possible display conditions: 1. in direct view of the original monument 2. in the correct exhibition layout reproducing the actual peripheral dimensions and proportions of the Parthenon frieze and pediments 3. as an integral part of a unified archaeological park in the centre of the city they originate from Now is the moment for the sculptures of the Acropolis to be reunited in the ultimate Acropolis exhibition hall in Athens. Read more and be part of the historic reunification of these classical masterpieces
Fighting against instincts, separation and possession
while Trying to tell a sacred story 60% of the Parthenon sculptures is still in London
Revealing the way to Wisdom
The sculptures of the Acropolis of Athens need to be reunited
ΛΟΓΟΣ There are many reasons that the Parthenon sculptures must be reunited reasons
ΕΚΘΕΜΑ exhibit The Parthenon sculptures, and all pieces of the Athenian Acropolis, only make sense as a whole The buildings and sculptures of the Acropolis of Athens are a monument representing key events and concepts of Greek history and mythology The new Acropolis Museum is the optimum exhibition hall designed to house all the Parthenon sculptures together as a complete exhibit reasons
ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΙΑ protection Since 1975, a unique program has been running in Athens Using state-of-the-art conservation technologies employing safe, sensitive cleaning methods that use laser technology, and ongoing investment driving cutting-edge conservation the Acropolis Restoration Project pollution deposits have been delicately removed Reuniting the Acropolis sculptures is the ultimate act of antiquity conservation awaiting action revealing undamaged the patina and amazing detail of the frieze in Athens Reuniting the Acropolis sculptures is the ultimate act of antiquity conservation awaiting action image © S. Mavrommatis
ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ history At the time of the removal of the sculptures, the Greeks were fighting for independence There was not any firman that allowed Elgin to take parts of the Acropolis away from Athens If something similar happened to a country’s monument today, we would simply condemn it as unacceptable BC AD The creation of the Parthenon and its sculptures is completed The Byzantium comes under Ottoman rule 1828 The first independent Greek state Is formed Elgin assaults the Acropolis, cutting sculptures off its buildings The new Acropolis Museum in Athens is ready and open to the public UNESCO designates the Acropolis as a World Heritage site
symbol The Acropolis of Athens symbolises ΣΥΜΒΟΛΟ <> the unprecedented progress, cultural peak and passion for excellence in ancient Athens the ancient Greek civilisation the classical period in world history, its art, architecture, science, political reform and philosophy the foundations and beginning of Western civilisation World Heritage (UNESCO) How can a museum be against the symbol of World Heritage keeping its pieces apart? a milestone in human civilisation and thinking
art ΤΕΧΝΗ <> The Parthenon is a masterpiece of architecture
art <> a breathing structure aunique architectural standard
art <> curves and proportions render its it a dynamic composition in space
ΡΟΗ flow World-class development projects have maximised the accessibility to a world audience of a world monument
flow The Unification of the Archaeological sites of Athens to a continuous archaeological, historical and cultural walk in the oldest capital of Europe (a major project by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works) The new Athens International Airport the largest hub of air travel in southeastern Europe The extended metro network bringing tourists right at the doorstep of the Acropolis and other key archaeological sites and monuments The Acropolis Museum providing the optimum physical and conceptual conditions for the exhibition of all the Acropolis sculptures next to the Acropolis
flow The Unification of the Archaeological sites of Athens to a continuous archaeological, historic and cultural walk in the oldest capital of Europe (a major project by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works) The new Athens International Airport the largest hub of air travel in southeastern Europe The extended metro network bringing tourists right at the doorstep of the Acropolis monument and key archaeological sites the New Acropolis Museum providing the optimum physical and conceptual conditions for the exhibition of all the Acropolis sculptures next to the Acropolis! World-class projects a world audience a world monument accessibility
unity It is about understanding and bringing people together Europeans are working on an advanced model of communication within the community. Museums are needed to explicitly promote this effort, not undermine it. ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ
Phidias ΦΕΙΔΙΑΣ <> ' According to Professor J.M. Cook in his account of the Parthenon's construction, "Practically every block in it is unique so as to fit the tilts and curvatures. Such extravagance could never be afforded again." And, as he also puts it, "the Parthenon style is the classical style par excellence ". [...] The idea is balance and symmetry, summed up in the triad of the metopes, the frieze and the pediments.' (excerpt from 'The Elgin Marbles' by Christopher Hitchens) One creation, one project. Coordinated by one artist image © Artmedia Press
ethics Museums are meant to extend beyond prestige to serve art integrity and respect The Greek nation was never asked about the removal of its heritage treasures Greece and the UK are fellow European States, connected with bonds of friendship ΗΘΙΚΗ Did you know? Greece has offered to lend other precious treasures to the UK in return for the reunification of the Acropolis sculptures close to the monument
+ 1 9 reasons ’
ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ t r u t h TheParthenonsculpturesarepartoftheParthenon
The monument will only be complete again when all its pieces are brought back together
The British Museum should not act as a gallery exhibiting ownership
but as an institution promoting education and unity beyond its physical borders
It is your support and awareness that will help the Acropolis sculptures return to Athens
The reunification is a matter of time and understanding
It’s already started
is about Reuniting the sculptures bringing people together
AcropolisofAthens.gr Our generations will be inspired by complete world heritage monuments
The permanent restoration of the Parthenon sculptures to a single, meaningful exhibit depends on everyone’s understanding; Read more. The reunification has already started. yours too The focus is now on the Acropolis Museum in Athens; not only because of the historical importance of the monument, but because of its great cultural depth and gravity in a world of civilisations. AcropolisofAthens.gr - one monument, one heritage URL: