- 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 stands proudly in the courtyard of the Town Hall.
When you look up at this imposing sculpture, you might notice something unusual: three eyes scan the horizon, instead of the usual two. This singularity piques curiosity and invites you to discover the incredible story behind this artwork.
Polyphemus, from Greek mythology, is depicted here in all his majesty, half-naked, holding a panpipe in his massive hand. Commissioned in 1883 from the talented sculptor Lucien Pascal, this statue never fails to inspire wonder, and also a smile, once its story is revealed.
Imagine for a moment the sculptor, focused on his work, completely unaware of Polyphemus's true nature. In his mind, the Cyclops was like a human being, with two eyes. And so he began his work, meticulously shaping the figure of the mythical monster.
However, on the day of the inauguration, the error was revealed. Polyphemus, the Cyclops, had not two, but three eyes, according to mythological tradition. Faced with this blunder, Lucien Pascal did not hesitate. Without wasting a second, he grabbed his tools and swiftly added a third eye to the statue's forehead, as if to make up for lost time.
Some might call it a sculptor's mistake, but the truth is more nuanced. Indeed, it was not uncommon at the time to depict Cyclopes with three eyes, in accordance with mythological accounts. Moreover, the Lyon archives make no mention of such an "error," leaving room for the legend surrounding the creation of this unique 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 gaze upon this three-eyed statue, remember this unusual story, a testament to the perspicacity and ingenuity of artists throughout history. Lyon, a city steeped in history and mystery, still holds many surprises to be discovered around every corner of its streets and monuments.
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