The Riace bronzes are finally back on their feet and on display in the Museo Archeologico di Reggio Calabria, in the south of Italy. The two ancient Greek statues of warriors, which date back to the fifth century BC, were seen by around 17,000 people in the first fortnight after they went back on display, at the end of December. Visitors, who enter in groups of 20, must pass through a decontamination room fitted with air purifiers before being granted access to the statues. The museum’s renovation is still not finished, however, and its completion date has been put back again, from April to June. The project has been plagued by delays (the bronzes were initially due to go back on display in March 2011), and costs have spiralled from €11m to €30m.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'Bronze warriors back on their feet at last'
