The statue La Légende de Pyrène was created during the Saint-Béat marble festival in 2010 by Czech sculptor Miroslav Kopecky, who has lived in the Ariège since 1999.
Carved from a single block of local marble weighing ten tonnes, it is inspired by the myth of Pyrene and Hercules. The head of Hercules takes on the features of the former mayor of Saint-Béat, Mr Frisoni, who is said to have helped the sculptor rough out the block of marble.
The artist had fun inserting an anomaly. Can you find it?
Here’s a hint: count the number of Hercules’ toes.
The legend of Pyrene was passed down orally before being written down. There are many different versions and details. One version recounts that Hercules, during his twelve labours, was invited by the King of Bebryx and met the king’s daughter, Pyrene. The demigod and the princess fell in love. However, Hera, queen of the gods and goddess of marriage, condemned Hercules to wander in love. He left the kingdom of Bebryx without telling Pyrene who, being pregnant and desperate not to find him, fled into the forest. She was then attacked by wild animals (wolves or bears, depending on the version). Hercules heard her scream and turned back, but he was too late. Full of sadness, Hercules decided to build the most beautiful of tombs for his beloved. He heaped up countless stones, creating the Pyrenees mountain range.
