The marbles were "stolen" claim the Greeks by Lord Elgin and are now in the British Museum. The Greeks have asked for their return since they gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. The British have always refused. When the last request was made, the Brits said the Greeks did not have a museum that was "good enough" to exhibit them. Hence this new museum. The Brits have continued to refuse to return them.
What a magnificent building...the plaza is built out over ruins (well everywhere there are ruins) on columns in such a way that the archeologists can continue their work...some of it beneath glass floors that allow visitors to watch their work as it moves (ever so slowly) along.
Inside are video displays of what the carved marbles look like....and a whole floor is built around the outline of Athena's temple with copies where the originals (when the Brits finally agree) will go.
When the Greeks last asked for their return, the British told them "No" because they did not have a museum sufficient to house them. And this is the result...a structure which is built...on the third floor...to the precise specifications of the temple with niches for all the marbles...the one still in London are in bright white because they are copies...but the ones he left behind are in the
So come on, Great Britain, get with the program. No better place in the world than this to display these marbles...
And after the viewing seeing "the marbles that Elgin stole" to sit out on the spectacular cafe and contemplate how this place is part of one's own cultural heritage...and so is the wine that one is drinking.
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Location:On the Ha-day (Jade)
