September 18, 2024 The sun rises from Anatolia

Call from the Ministry of Culture to the Pergamon Museum: “The Temple of Zeus must return to its homeland”

The Pergamon Museum in Germany, which houses one of the most visited artifacts, the Temple of Zeus, taken from Türkiye, is closing its doors to visitors for a comprehensive four-year restoration

The Ministry of Culture has once again called for the Temple of Zeus to “return to its homeland.”

The Pergamon (Bergama) Museum in the capital of Germany, Berlin, will be closed for renovations until 2037. As part of the renovation efforts, after the A-wing was closed in 2012, this time the B-wing of the museum will also be closed to visitors. This means that the museum will be completely closed for approximately 4 years until the A-wing, which is planned to be completed in 2027, is reopened. The museum houses artifacts including the Bergama Zeus Altar taken from Türkiye as well as the Ishtar Gate from Babylon and numerous examples of Islamic art. Prior to the closure on October 23rd, the museum is experiencing a surge in visitors.

It was reported that the museum, opened in 1930, began to sink due to its location on a porous foundation, wear and tear, and the weight of the art collection. Officials have stated that the building is in really bad condition, with water leaks in the building when it rains, and that reinforcement work needs to be done urgently. In addition to the extended duration of the foundation reinforcement work, it will also have a high cost, estimated at 1.5 billion euros.

Another ongoing issue related to the museum is the ownership of the artifacts. Various countries, especially Türkiye, argue that the ownership status of the pieces in the museum’s collection is disputed and want the artifacts to return to their homelands. Zeynep Boz, from the Turkish Ministry of Culture, stated in an interview with the German newspaper Tagesspiegel last month that Germany’s claims of ownership of the Zeus Temple should be legally questioned, emphasizing that the altar needs to “return to the daylight of Bergama.”

The Zeus Temple was taken to Germany after it was found in the Bergama region of Izmir during illegal excavations led by German engineer and archaeologist Carl Humann in the 1870s.

Source Hurriyet

Banner
Related Articles

Archaeologists uncovered the largest Roman griffin weight in Assos

August 31, 2023

August 31, 2023

At the ancient city of Assos, founded in the 6th century BC on the coast of the Aegean Sea within...

Another bronze statue head smuggled from the ancient city of Boubon returned to Türkiye

May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, US, has announced that it has returned to Türkiye an ancient bronze...

Dana Island, where warships were made during the Bronze Age

October 31, 2023

October 31, 2023

The island of Dana was a strategic place where ships were built, which were used in many sea battles, including...

The Hittite city of Samuha will be open to visitors in 2024

October 1, 2023

October 1, 2023

The 3,800-year-old Hittite city Kayalıpınar, located in the Yıldızeli district of Sivas and formerly known as Samuha, is planned to...

Archaeologists found 3,500-year-old grape seeds

September 12, 2023

September 12, 2023

In the Aşağıseyit Mound located in the Çal district of Denizli, archaeologists uncovered a 3,500-year-old grape seed. The most surprising...

The monastery-like Alicin Geosite continues to remain a mystery

April 23, 2024

April 23, 2024

Alicin Geosite in Kızılcahamam district of Ankara, the capital of Turkey, continues to preserve its mystery. Alicin Geosite is a...

2,100-year-old steles transported by military helicopter will be exhibited in Perre Ancient City

May 11, 2024

May 11, 2024

The 2100-year-old steles carried by military helicopter from Kımıl Mountain in Adıyaman’s Gerger district will be exhibited in Perre Ancient...

An 8,200 year old stone kohl was found in western Türkiye

September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024

Excavations at the Yesilova Mound in western Türkiye have unearthed 8,200-year-old kohl made of stone material was found. Yeşilova Mound...

The remains of a 1800-year-old female statue and frieze fragments depicting mythological narratives discovered in the ancient city of Olba

August 16, 2023

August 16, 2023

During archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Olba in the district of Silifke, Mersin, a female statue believed to...

Restoration works have come to an end in the 2200-year-old Kahta castle damaged by earthquakes

April 28, 2024

April 28, 2024

The reconstruction works started in the 2200-year-old Kahta castle, which was damaged by two major earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, have...

The gold belt unearthed during excavations in Ani Ruins and preserved for 22 years has been put on display

July 1, 2024

July 1, 2024

The gold belt unearthed during excavations in Ani Ruins in eastern Türkiye and preserved for 22 years has been put...

Archaeologists unearthed 4200-year-old various wheat grains in Kültepe

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Various wheat grains that are 4200 years old were unearthed in Kültepe, located in the province of Kayseri, Türkiye. Kültepe...

The inscription of Çem Castle awaits decipherment

September 14, 2024

September 14, 2024

The inscription on the wall of Çem Castle in the Sumbas district of Osmaniye in southern Türkiye is waiting to...

Restoration of the 600-year-old Gazi Mihal Hamam in Edirne continues

April 5, 2024

April 5, 2024

In Edirne, Türkiye’s gateway to Europe, cleaning and excavation works continue in the 15th century Gazi Mihal Hamam within the...

Well-preserved bust unearthed during excavations at Prusias Ad Hypium Ancient Theater

August 15, 2024

August 15, 2024

A very well-preserved bust was found during the ongoing excavations in the theater section of the ancient city of Prusias...

Comments
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *