Located within 100Km - Gerace
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- Last Updated on Saturday, 24 February 2024 12:52
- Published on Friday, 24 May 2013 14:57
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The Riace Bronzes are located at the MARC in Reggio Calabria
Discovery and Recovery of the Riace Bronzes: the modern history of the two Bronzes began on 16 August 1972, when the Carabinieri recovered two bronze statues on the seabed off the coast of Porto Forticchio di Riace Marina – on the Ionian coast of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria – acting on a report by a diver from Rome, Stefano Mariottini. Near the site where the Bronzes had been lying there were no other ancient artefacts that might have held some clues as to how they had ended up there in the first place. This was the beginning of the great mystery of the Riace Warriors, yet to be solved.
Porto Forticchio where the Riace Bronzes were found
Rescue operations were coordinated from Porto Forticchio by Giuseppe Foti, then the head of the Direction for Archaeological Heritage of Calabria. Porto Forticchio is an ancient port, with traces of an ancient breakwater and a tower from the Angevin period built on one of the surrounding hills. The tower used to serve as a tax post for goods entering the Kingdom of Sicily by sea.
Restorations of Bronzes. Their transfer to Florence
After some initial restoration work conducted at the Museum of Reggio, in January 1975 the two Bronzes were moved to Florence, where they were entrusted to the hands and care of two restorers, Renzo Giachetti and Edilberto Formigli. It took them a whole year to thoroughly clean the statues and acquire basic data about them. Restoration works at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence lasted 5 years.
The Bronzes were finally shown to the public in an exhibition held at the Archaeological Museum of Florence, from 15 December 1980 through 24 June of the following year. The exhibition enjoyed tremendous success, so much so that Sandro Pertini, then President of Italy, asked for the two statues to stop in Rome, at the Quirinale, between 29 June and 12 July 1981, on their way back to Reggio. The two bronzes gained enormous popularity and success both in Rome and then back ‘home’ at the National Museum of Magna Graecia in Reggio.
Other two restorations in Reggio Calabria
As already observed during the first restoration works, the presence of molding sand inside the two statues has always been their main problem. This sand, like a sponge, had been absorbing brackish water for centuries, which it kept releasing, thus contributing to gradual and constant bronze decay. To overcome this problem, two different restoration sites were set up in Reggio: one, at the Museum, between 1992 and 1995, where innovative mechanical equipment was employed; and a second one at the headquarters of the Calabria Regional Council between 2010 and 2013, when the bronzes were completely emptied of any old clay they would still contain. After this process, both statues lost half the weight they had when discovered.
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Gerace
Defined as one of the 'most beautiful villages in Italy', Gerace is one of the most historically rich centres in Calabria and Italy, where history, legend and myth coexist timelessly. Entering the town, one first encounters the Borgo, with its ceramists' workshops carved out of the tufa rock, and then reaches the historic centre, which preserves highly suggestive views and architectural gems. A village to be discovered and savoured, where Gerace's charm and art continue along the small squares, narrow streets, walls of houses and buildings full of history. Visit the Mediaeval Cathedral - The largest church in the whole of Calabria, built in the late Byzantine period and completed in the early Norman age. The grandiose and evocative interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, is divided into three naves by two rows of 10 columns, some of which come from Locri Epizefiri and differ in quality, type and size. The crypt where the Museum of the Treasury is located is very suggestive. Mediaeval Church of San Francesco - Built in 1252 and located in the picturesque Piazza delle tre Chiese (Three Churches Square), the Church of San Francesco offers visitors a beautiful altar entirely inlaid in marble, as well as a mediaeval sarcophagus by Nicola Ruffo.
The beautiful Gothic entrance portal is beautifully crafted. Medieval castle - Built in the 12th century, the castle is located in the highest part of the ancient village from where it dominates all the valleys around Gerace. Byzantine Churches of San Giovannello and dell'Annunziata - Located in the picturesque Piazza delle Tre Chiese (the third church is that of San Francesco), they originate from the Byzantine period. The roof of the Church of the Annunziata made of local majolica is significant. Chiesa Santa Maria del Mastro - Solemn and austere in its volumes, this church with a central plan, stands in the evocative Piazza della Repubblica, in the Borgo maggiore, at the entrance to Gerace. Le "Bombarde" - Gerace's promenade, created in the vegetable garden of the Ancient Convent of Sant'Anna now used as a hotel. The medieval gates - Gerace had twelve gates, four of which still exist and are Porta dei vescovi or della meridiana (leaning against the Cathedral), Porta di Santa Lucia, Porta maggiore and Porta del sole. Piazza del Tocco - the city's main square, so called because this was where the loggia where business was done was located. Here stands the Town Hall.
