Although it was a Sunday morning, I wasn't a bit upset by the sound of my alarm clock urging me out of bed. I was in Athens and this was the day of my planned visit to the new Acropolis Museum, and I was looking forward to it with much anticipation.  

My thoughts were many as my friend and I travelled to the museum; some about the history of Acropolis, but also recollections from an earlier visit to the Parthenon.

When the taxi reached the entrance, we knew we were in for an extraordinary experience. We were left speechless by the building itself, which is exceptionally modern and minimalistic.

The locality of the museum is also unique, as it is found precisely under the temple of Acropolis, combining the ancient culture with a modern cultural creation inspired from the older one.

There were big crowds outside as well as inside the museum, but upon entering, we looked in awe at the surrounding spaces, which exude ancient Greco culture. Inside, exhibits are many and of unique value. The two winged-victories on the first floor welcome the visitor. On the second floor, five Caryatids (four are authentic and one is a copy as the genuine has been destroyed) from the original six dominate the space, and each one's uniqueness is truly moving.
 

Upon seeing them one understands how imperative it is that the other authentic Caryatid, which is currently at the British museum, be returned. Quite simply, the Caryatids constitute an entity, all six together, while now they are a cultural work that is split up.   

The Parthenon marbles are on the third floor. There, with the Acropolis itself as a background, the conviction that the Elgin marbles be returned to where they belong is strengthened a thousand-fold, especially since there is no legal document in existence that justifies the theft of the marbles (surely the concession by the Sultan does not constitute such a thing).  It is deplorable to see, in the new Acropolis museum, only half of the marbles and what they portray is incomplete because of the missing marbles.

A solution must be found! At least they should be loaned to the museum, if nothing else is feasible for the moment. This is not a political question but one of culture . . .  and in the name of culture, peace between countries should be the primary thought.

However, even with the "missing marbles," the new Acropolis Museum should be on everyone's "must see" list.

For information on the new Acropolis Museum visit the site: www.theacropolismuseum.gr .