Temple of Epicurean Apollo

There's a very good video of this ruin on YouTUbe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M28KDUuW9g -- there has been no news of any unveiling of this site, nor is any expected, given the state of Affairs in Greece. Myself, I have deliberately chosen not to visit Bassae, since I was so upset by my visit to the beautiful Temple of Aphaia in Aegina. The British archeologist/adventurer/ looter Charles Cockerell visited BOTH sites, in the 19th Century, both were remarkably preserved with sculptures & friezes intact, and he & his Colleagues (henchmen) bribed the local Ottoman Turk pashas, stripped both temples clean, and sold Greece's heritage for all the £££ he could get, to the highest bidders (British Museum and Berlin Museum). I would like to find Mr. Cockerell's descendants' homes in UK, and find a way to despoil THOSE (although of course I'd be arrested for it).

Not to defend past looting, but at least the British Museum is free admission and one can see the Elgin marbles close up, not high on top of a Temple frieze. And they are protected from deterioration from air pollution etc. So not all bad.

Lex, Greece spent decades of planning, and immense skill, in creating a SPLENDID New Acropolis Museum which provides an unparelelled and protected indoor all-glass setting for the Parthenon (not "Elgin") marbles to be appreciated while simultaneously looking up at the original setting on the Acropolis. Do not forget the damage done by unskilled British museum curators, who applied pure bleach to the frieze and sculptures to create the level of whiteness they felt the English public expected. And PLEASE do not call these treasures the "Elgin" marbles, as if a titled looter had more right to them than the nation whose artists created them.

But since quite a long time Greece has many archeological museums itself, often next to ancient sites where the most precious and fragile local objects are being exposed and conserved in the best conditions as well. Much better for my imagination and interpretation.

Oops, seems that Jan and I have been writing at the very same time. We agree!

Again not to defend the original looting, and perhaps the marbles should be repatriated now that there is appropriate space to display and care for the friezes in Athens. However I still think it is not all bad for a world-class cultural heritage, really belonging to all of Western civilization and not just modern day Greece, to have had good stewardship and excellent access at the British Museum all these years. If mistakes in conservation damaged the "skin" then all the better that they have been protected indoors. If they had remained in place they could easily have been more damaged, destroyed or stolen long before the current modern museums were built, sold by later corrupt Ottoman rulers, stolen by Nazi Germany in WWII, eroded by air pollution, etc. So a little perspective is in order. Look at what's happened to other cultural treasures around the world, remaining in their original locations and now lost or destroyed. It could always be worse.

Your first clause is correct ... "The marbles should be repatriated now..." no "perhaps" about it. End of discussion.

Sorry Jan , I would like to add they should exhibit the Ephesus treasures at the site, not miles away in Selcuk where most seem to miss seeing them......😩

Tomkat I agree with you, but may I add that your particular example is not a policy involving Greece and a different country over which it has no power ... it is a policy regarding Turkey-owned treasures, (altho not Turkey-CREATED), imposed by its OWN country, Turkey (and lets not get started on the Turkey-Greece history or this thread would run into a Book!!!).... have great time in the Eastern isles, Tomkat, I did them a few years ago ... transport is sometimes challenging but totally worth it. Kalo Taxidi!!