The Bronzi di Riace (Riace Bronzes) are two full-size Greek bronze statues of naked warriors, cast around 450 BC. Discovered by a recreational diver in the Ionian Sea near Riace in 1972, they are considered among the finest examples of ancient Greek sculpture ever found.
History
The statues were likely thrown overboard from a Roman ship, possibly during a storm, while being transported from Greece to Rome. They spent over 2,000 years on the seabed before their accidental discovery.
What to See
The bronzes are displayed in a dedicated climate-controlled room at the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia. Standing nearly 2 meters tall, they depict a younger and older warrior with extraordinary anatomical detail.
Practical Info
Location: Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, Piazza De Nava, Reggio Calabria
Hours: Tue-Sun 9:00-20:00 (closed Monday)
Tickets: €8 full, €4 reduced
Website: museoarcheologicoreggiocalabria.it