An extraordinary collection of ancient Roman bronze statues discovered at a Tuscan spa last year is to be put on show at the Quirinale presidential palace at the beginning of May, Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said Monday.
He said the statues, which have been likened to the world-famous Riace Bronzes, would go on tour around Italy just as the other statues did, before finding a permanent site in the spa town in which they were discovered, San Casciano.
"We will hold a major exhibition at the Quirinale with the San Casciano bronzes, which I hope will open in early May,” Sangiuliano, said on the program Quante Storie on Rai3.
"The ministry is acquiring a building in San Casciano to put them on display, but first I would like to see them travel.”
"For example, to my (native) Naples, to Milan, to Venice, before they go to their definitive location.”
Sangiuliano also said:
“The experts are restoring these finds, and in May we will start digging again and probably find more.”
The Riace Bronzes, ancient Greek warrior statues considered one of the paramount sculptural achievements of the ancient world, went on a sell-out tour of Italy before finding a permanent home in their native Reggio Calabria.
