This is a fascinating story that spans centuries and continents. A stone statue of Aphrodite is going on display today in Aidone, Sicily, after a decades-long odyssey involving the J. Paul Getty Museum of Los Angeles and Italian prosecutors. The stature of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was essentially stolen from this archeology-rich region of Sicily 30 years ago, in an illegal excavation, acquired by the Getty and, after a criminal investigation, repatriated to Italy this spring.
The story is the subject of a new book, “Chasing Aphrodite,” by Los Angeles Times reporters Jason Felch and Ralph Frammolino. For an article and podcast, click HERE. To learn more about this region of Sicily, click HERE.
This is one of the amazing things about Italy travel. The archeology!
Yours in exploring Italy,
Barbara Fellini
