- 1 place of the comedy - 69001 Lyon
- What you see
- What you need to know
Access to the City Hall is somewhat restricted. The building opens its doors during the Heritage Days, which take place every year in September. You can also to book a guided tour through the Lyon tourist office.
Today, I invite you to discover one of the curiosities of our beautiful city: the statue of Polyphemus, which sits proudly in the main courtyard of the City Hall.
When you look up at this imposing sculpture, you may notice something unusual: three eyes scan the horizon, instead of the usual two. A singularity that piques curiosity and invites you to discover the incredible story behind this work.
Polyphemus, from Greek mythology, is represented here in all his majesty, half-naked, holding a pan flute in his massive hand. Commissioned in 1883 from the talented sculptor Lucien Pascal, this statue does not fail to arouse wonder, but also smiles, once its story is revealed.
Imagine for a moment the sculptor, intent on his work, unaware of the real nature of Polyphemus. In his mind, the Cyclops was like a human being, with two eyes. So he began his work, meticulously shaping the figure of the mythical monster.
However, on the day of the inauguration, the mistake was revealed. Polyphemus, the Cyclops, had not two, but three eyes, according to mythological tradition. Faced with this blunder, Lucien Pascal did not lose heart. Without wasting a second, he grabbed his tools and quickly added a third eye to the statue's forehead, as if to make up for lost time.
Some might call this a mistake by the sculptor, but the truth is more nuanced. Indeed, it was not uncommon at the time to represent the Cyclops with three eyes, in accordance with mythological stories. The archives of Lyon make no mention of such an "error", leaving room for the legend surrounding the creation of this singular work.
Thus, the statue of Polyphemus at Lyon City Hall is much more than a simple sculpted representation: it embodies the spirit of creation and adaptation of artists, as well as the richness of mythological stories that continue to fascinate us through the ages.
As you contemplate this three-eyed statue, remember this unusual story, which testifies to the insight and ingenuity of artists of all eras. Lyon, a city of history and mysteries, still has many surprises in store for you to discover as you wander through its streets and monuments.
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