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13. 10. 09. - 10:45

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13. 10. 09. - 10:45

A 2,000-year-old statue of Priapus may promote tourism

Croatian Times

Croatian fishermen from Baska on Krk Island found an oil lamp in the shape of Priapus two years ago.

In Greek mythology, he was a minor rustic fertility god and protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens and male genitalia. His Roman equivalent was Mutinus Mutunus. He is best noted for his huge, permanently erect penis, which has given rise to the medical term priapism.

Ivan Barbalic Gunga and Izidor Cubranic found the 2,000-year-old lamp accidentally while they were fishing. They took the 20-centimetre-tall statue to the Croatian Conservation Institute in Zadar for treatment and an estimate of its value and then returned home.

The daily Novi list has reported that they are trying to figure out how to use the little Priapus for community promotion.

What they do know is the lamp was probably used in an ancient house of prostitution. By touching Priapus’ penis, one can allegedly improve one’s sex life.

Barbalic and Cubranic said: "Everyone is touching him now and having fun, but we have not heard if it really helps. But one thing is for sure. We want everyone to have an opportunity to see it. We do not want to keep it just for ourselves or to earn money from it. We want our little Priapus to become a real tourist attraction on Krk Island, but we do not know where we should put it."

Now, two years later, they have heard from Baska community leader Toni Juranic, who has promised to help them find an adequate place not just for Priapus but for other valuable finds.

The Baska tablet (Bascanska ploca), one of the first monuments containing an inscription in the Croatian language and dating from the year 1100, was found in Jurandvor near Baska on Krk Island in 1851.

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