Famous Elgin Marbles on Display at Hermitage Museum
The British Museum has sent the famous Elgin Marbles on loan to the Hermitage Museum. British Museum Director Neil MacGregor announced recently that the river god Ilissos, one of the statues from the Elgin Marbles, has been lent to the State Hermitage Museum.
Also called the Parthenon Marbles, the Elgin Marbles originated in Greece about 2.500 years ago and were a collection of marble sculptured depicting men, gods, and monsters. The famous sculptures were part of the Parthenon and other structures on the Acropolis in Athens.
Although Greece has made efforts to have the sculptures returned, the British Museum has sent this statue on loan as a show of solidarity between the two famous museums.
The Russian Museum will host the Elgin Marbles until mid-January and this is a great opportunity to see ancient Greek art up close and personal.
You can see the legendary Elgin Marbles at the Hermitage Museum as part of our St Petersburg Tours.