French woman returns Acropolis ancient marble fragment to Greece

·

An egg-and-leaf sculpted architectural fragment from the Erechtheion temple on the Acropolis in Athens will be voluntarily returned to Greece by the Prefecture of the Rhone, in France.

The artefact was voluntarily given to the Rhone Prefecture in Lyon by art historian Jean-Claude Mossiere on behalf of an elderly French citizen, Jacqueline Junelles, who owned the fragment since the 1970s.

The Greek Ministry of Culture said in a statement that the marble fragment was removed from the Acropolis in the 1930s and comes from the Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Polias, which is on the north side of the Acropolis.

Acropolis photographed in 1930s.
Acropolis photographed in 1930s.

“The repatriation of cultural goods illegally exported from our country is a political priority and a constant pursuit of the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Service,” said the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, on the delivery of the marble fragment.

“Every voluntary return of antiquities, to the land of birth, gives us special joy and great satisfaction.”

The Prefect of Rhone Emmanuelle Darmon and Regional Director of Cultural Affairs of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Region Marc Drouot delivered the marble fragment to the Ambassador of Greece, Dimitrios Zevelakis, in Paris.

Read more: Have the Caryatids of the Acropolis told all their secrets?

Source: Amna.gr

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

AHEPA Sydney & NSW marks OXI Day with tribute to Greece’s heroes of 1940

On Wednesday, October 29, AHEPA Sydney & NSW Inc proudly held a commemorative event in honour of OXI Day. Read more here.

Dean Kalymniou on Gough Whitlam and the 50-year legacy of the Racial Discrimination Act

Dean Kalymniou reflects on Whitlam’s legacy and 50 years of the Racial Discrimination Act - a milestone in Australia’s pursuit of justice.

Konstantinos Argiros meets NSW Premier after sold-out Opera House performances

At NSW Parliament on Friday, Premier Chris Minns and Ministers Courtney Houssos and Sophie Cotsis welcomed Konstantinos Argiros.

‘Love, care and respect’: Chris and Nikolitsa Bakopoulos share the key to 70 years of marriage

From Patras to Bexley, Chris and Nikolitsa Bakopoulos’ 70-year love story is a timeless testament to faith, resilience, and devotion.

Accused Easey St killer Perry Kouroumblis previously gave police an alibi, court hears

Accused Easey Street killer Perry Kouroumblis has told police he was with a friend on the night two women were brutally stabbed in 1977.

You May Also Like

Commemorating the feast day of the Virgin Mary’s birth

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8 each year.

Greek singer Antonis Remos denies allegations of tax evasion

Famous Greek singer Antonis Remos is under investigation for alleged money laundering and tax evasion amounting to 1.5 million euros.

Mycenae Excavations: Cambridge Digital Library opens archives

Archives relating to the excavations of the most celebrated city of the ancient world, Mycenae, have been digitised on the Cambridge Digital Library.