Demeter and Kore-Persephone were fervently venerated in Sicily in ancient times. This exhibit from the Regional Archaeological Museum at Aidone features two acroliths (That is, sculptures that have been constructed of stone, such as marble, and other materials, such as, in this case, iron, and draped with fabric) most likely depicting the mother goddess and her maiden daughter. Sicilian designer Marella Ferrera along with a blacksmith constructed and re-created this powerful example of what pilgrims may have seen when visiting a temple or sanctuary dedicated to the goddesses during ancient Greek times. The marble heads, hands, and feet displayed here were stolen from Italy over 30 years ago, and through an international effort were returned to Aidone/Morgantina in 2009.
