Greece has received three ancient artifacts from the Vatican, marking another milestone in the country’s efforts to reclaim a collection of sculptures taken from the Acropolis over 200 years ago. The Greek Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, led a ceremony to mark the repatriation of three fragments from the Vatican Museums, representing a horse and two male heads. The items will now be added to the collection at the Acropolis Museum, which opened in 2009 in Athens.
The Return of Cultural Heritage
Bishop Brian Farrell, a Vatican secretary for promoting Christian unity, led the delegation from the Vatican, and he noted that the return of the three fragments had been discussed during a visit by Pope Francis to Athens in 2021. Farrell said, “The gifting of the fragments of the Parthenon, which had been held in the Vatican Museums for more than two centuries, shows itself as a cultural and social gesture of friendship and solidarity with the people of Greece.”
The Greek Government is pushing for the return of all the Parthenon sculptures from the British Museum in London, arguing that they are part of their cultural heritage. Mendoni has said Greece would be willing to lend ancient Greek artifacts to the British Museum for exhibition to “fill the gap” if the marbles were returned. Last year, another marble sculptural fragment from the Parthenon temple depicting the foot of the ancient Greek goddess Artemis was returned to Athens from a museum in Palermo, Sicily.
The Impact on Greece
Archbishop Ieronymos II, the leader of Greece’s Orthodox Church, hailed the return of the ancient artifacts as an “act of historical significance” that will have a positive impact on all levels. He added that he hoped it would set an example for others to follow. The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, praised the Vatican’s decision to return the items, stating that it was a recognition of the value of Greece’s cultural heritage.
Greece has been working to secure the return of the Parthenon sculptures, which were taken in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin, for decades, with successive governments making it a priority. The campaign has been backed by many prominent figures, including the actress and activist Emma Thompson, who has been vocal in her support of the return of the sculptures.
The return of the ancient artifacts from the Vatican is a significant achievement for Greece, and it sends a strong message to the world that cultural heritage must be respected and preserved.
