The Art Newspaper

Sicily aims to make more of the Morgantine Venus

Local authorities and tourism industry seek Euro funds to promote statue returned by US museum

By Ermanno Rivetti. Web only
Published online: 28 March 2012

The Morgantina Venus housed in the Museo di Aidone, Sicily (Photo: http://chasingaphrodite.com)

In an effort to capitalise on the return of Morgantina Venus to Italian authorities by the Getty Museum, Los Angeles, local business associations and town councils near Enna in Sicily have formed a non-profit, public-private organisation called the “Distretto turistico Dea di Morgantina” (tourist district of the goddess of Morgantina), to coordinate local culture and tourism initiatives.

They presented their formal request for recognition to the regional authorities in December 2011, and are expecting approval at the end of March, which will pave the way to obtain an EU grant.

The aim is to cater to the growing number of tourists who come to view the statue, which is housed in the Museo di Aidone. Numbers are expected to increase once the Villa Romana del Casale, a nearby archaeological park and villa, reopens in May.

Crowds outside the Museo di Aidone