ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sicily Returns Parthenon Fragment to Greece in Long-Term Loan

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-27

The Acropolis Museum in Athens will receive the "Fagan fragment," which illustrates a goddess's foot from the Parthenon's eastern frieze, on a four-year loan from the Museo Archeologico Salinas in Palermo, with a potential extension. In return, Sicily is borrowing a headless statue of Athena from the late 5th century BCE and an early 8th century BCE geometric amphora from the Acropolis Museum. Italian Minister Dario Franceschini advocates for the fragment's permanent return. Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni highlighted the importance of this exchange for cultural connections. The fragment was brought to Sicily in the early 19th century by British consul Robert Fagan, with prior discussions on restitution taking place in 2002–2003 and 2008.

Key facts

  • The Fagan fragment is a marble piece from the Parthenon's eastern frieze, showing a goddess's foot.
  • It is loaned from the Museo Archeologico Salinas (Palermo) to the Acropolis Museum (Athens) for 4 years, renewable once.
  • In exchange, the Acropolis Museum lends a headless Athena statue (late 5th c. BCE) and a geometric amphora (early 8th c. BCE).
  • Sicily's regional government has asked Italy's Ministry of Culture to pursue permanent repatriation.
  • Italian Minister Dario Franceschini supports the loan and Sicily's exclusive cultural heritage jurisdiction.
  • Sicilian assessor Alberto Samonà called it building a 'Europe of Culture' rooted in shared history.
  • Greek Minister Lina Mendoni said Sicily 'shows the way' for the return of all Parthenon sculptures.
  • The fragment arrived in Sicily in the early 19th century via British consul Robert Fagan; sold to the Royal Museum of the University of Palermo after his death.
  • Previous restitution talks occurred in 2002–2003, 2004 (Athens Olympics), and 2008 (loan mediated by President Napolitano).

Entities

Artists

  • Robert Fagan
  • Thomas Bruce VII conte di Elgin
  • Walter Amelung
  • Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
  • Giorgio Napolitano
  • Dario Franceschini
  • Alberto Samonà
  • Lina Mendoni
  • Caterina Greco

Institutions

  • Museo Archeologico Salinas
  • Acropolis Museum
  • British Museum
  • Regione Siciliana
  • Ministero della Cultura italiano
  • Ministero della Cultura e dello sport della Repubblica Greca
  • Regio Museo dell'Università di Palermo

Locations

  • Sicily
  • Palermo
  • Greece
  • Athens
  • Tindari
  • Londra

Sources