by Salvatore Settis

The popularity of the Riace bronzes dates back to December 1981, when -- displayed for the first time in Florence in an exhibition scheduled for just three weeks -- they were discovered by the general public; this established their reputation and caused the exhibition to be extended until June 24.

That prompted then-President Sandro Pertini to offer the presidential palace at the Quirinale for an "encore," that was even more successful and crowded than the first exhibit itself. After this, the Bronzes were finally housed in the National Museum of Reggio Calabria, where similar crowds flocked in the first few years.

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Fonte: Italy24