Wednesday, 08. February 2012 - 22:02
:: Home > Panorama > A 2,000-year-old statue of Priapus may promote tourism
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Today
Videos
Polls
RSS Feed Panorama13. 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.
Your comment to this article :
(will be approved by an editor before going online)
Tag cloud prostitution Baska having attraction touching penis Cubranic adequate statue Mutinus Barbalic community Croatian tourism lamp allegedly Priapus promotion money Island
Chinese family poisoned by gas in Split
Two adults and a young infant aged 17 months, were found with carbon monoxide poisoning this morning (Weds) at an address in Radunica in the Croatian coastal town of Split.
Fish 'throwing' themselves onto the shore on Pag
Fish throwing themselves out of the sea is usually a figure of speech. Not so for the residents of Kolan on the Croatian island of Pag. Fish there are literally throwing themselves out of the sea, says HRT.
Croatians to protest against ACTA on Saturday
Protests against the controversial anti-piracy laws have been announced for Saturday in the Croatian cities of Zagreb, Rijeka and Osijek.
Ivica Kostelic looking to take form into Russia
Sochi in Russia will host Ski World Cup races this coming weekend.
Sibenik's Mandalina Marina gets makeover just in time for Adriatic Boat Show
Croatian coastal town of Sibenik will once again host the annual Adriatic Boat Show (ABS) in May in the recently revamped part of Mandalina Marina reserved for mega-yachts.
Croatian cuisine focus of new gastronomy event in Umag
The town of Umag on Croatia's westernmost tip will host the country's first gastronomy congress in March with a focus on authentic, local cuisine.
Agrokor pulls the plug on Mercator deal
Croatia's largest privately owned business, food giant Agrokor, has withdrawn its bid to purchase a 52,1 per cent stake in Slovenian retail chain Mercator, reports 24 sata.
Croatian National Bank governor likely to stay despite rumours
Croatian National Bank Governor Zeljko Rohatinski is likely to remain the head of the Bank despite earlier rumours that his Deputy Boris Vujcic would take over.
Madonna's concert in Zagreb confirmed
Pop star Madonna is to give her first ever concert in Croatia in June.
Reconciling former enemies
During the Yugoslav wars, some 55,000 refugees sought shelter in Austria. Today, twenty years on, a reconciliation project started in Salzburg is helping former foes come together.
The most popular stories –
last 7 days
