The discovery of the gigantic Hercules statue in 1864 was a sensational moment in the field of archaeology.

Unearthed during excavations at the site of the ancient city of Olenus (modern-day Kalamata) in the Peloponnese, Greece, the statue stood an impressive 4 meters tall and was approximately 2,000 years old, dating back to the Hellenistic period (around the 2nd century BCE).

The sculpture depicted the hero Heracles (Hercules), the iconic figure of Greek mythology, renowned for his strength and his twelve labors.

The statue was carved from marble and was notable for its grandeur, showcasing the high level of skill and artistry of ancient Greek sculptors.

It was an extraordinary find, adding to the growing understanding of Greek art and culture during a time when the archaeological field was rapidly expanding.

In August 1864, the tranquil courtyard of Palazzo Pio Righetti in Rome’s Campo de’ Fiori became the stage for an extraordinary archaeological discovery.

Under the guidance of architect Luigi Gabet, workers unearthed a colossal bronze statue of Hercules, buried 8-9 meters beneath the earth. This remarkable find, later named the Hercules Mastai statue after Pope Pius IX Mastai, would captivate historians and art enthusiasts for generations to come.