A very special lady known as the Aidone Aphrodite or the Venere di Morgantina leaves California for Sicily today. The fifth century BC statue, whose story is here, is, at last, coming home and will arrive in Sicily some time between tomorrow and Friday.
The statue is travelling in three pieces and on 21st March experts from the Getty Museum will fly to Sicily to put her back together.
Her presence is likely to change the town of Aidone, where a special place is being prepared for her at the Museum, forever as it will become a major tourist attraction. A joint ticket for the mosaics at Piazza Armerina, the archaeological site of Morgantina and the Aidone Museum is already being planned.
The lady has an as yet unspecified date with President Napolitano and I can't wait to go and welcome her home myself!
4 comments:
I haven't met her when she resided in Southern California. I'm ashamed to say I've not been to the Getty even though it's just a stone throw away. I guess because I know it's always going to be here but now she's leaving the State, I guess, that's reason enough to return to Sicily and to Piazza Amerina (I've been to see Villa Casale Romana) to see her. Bravo, Pat!
We have seen this lovely piece at the Getty Museum. It is good that she is returning home. :-)
The story is fascinating. And thankfully has a happy ending. Congratulations to Sicily and the lady!
I think it's always like that with where we live, Anne. Anyway, as you say, a good visit to come back to Sicily! Hi, Patricia. It's great that you've been able to see her.
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