Apoxyomenos – A Story from the Depths of the Adriatic Transformed into Wallpaper Design

Deep beneath the surface of the Adriatic Sea, near the island of Lošinj, one of the most significant ancient discoveries ever made in Croatia rested for almost two thousand years – a bronze statue of a young athlete, today known as the Croatian Apoxyomenos.

Its remarkable story, combining ancient art, the sea and Croatian cultural heritage, became the inspiration for our Apoxyomenos decorative wallpaper.

Two Thousand Years Beneath the Sea

Apoxyomenos was discovered in the waters near the small island of Vele Orjule, close to Lošinj, at a depth of approximately 45 metres. It was discovered in 1996 by Belgian tourist and recreational diver René Wouters.

The statue was lying between rocks, partially covered by sand and marine sediment. This position helped preserve it in remarkably good condition over the centuries.

After the discovery was reported to the Croatian authorities, preparations began for one of the country's most demanding underwater archaeological operations. On 27 April 1999, Apoxyomenos was raised from the sea at a depth of 45 metres.

Years of careful conservation, restoration and research followed.

Who Is Apoxyomenos?

Apoxyomenos depicts a young athlete after a sporting competition or exercise.

In ancient Greece, athletes would cover their bodies with oil before physical activity. Afterwards, they removed the oil, sweat, dust and sand from their skin using a special metal scraper known as a strigil.

It is precisely this moment that Apoxyomenos represents.

The name derives from a Greek word associated with scraping or cleansing the body. Several ancient representations of athletes in this pose are known, but the Lošinj Apoxyomenos is particularly valuable because of the exceptional preservation of the bronze sculpture.

It is believed to date from the 2nd or 1st century BC.

A Unique Discovery in the Adriatic

The importance of the Croatian Apoxyomenos lies not only in its age.

The statue was discovered almost completely preserved. Only the little finger of its left hand was missing, while the original strigil once held by the athlete was never found.

During the restoration, researchers made another fascinating discovery. Inside the hollow bronze statue they found remains of wood, twigs, seeds, fruit and other organic materials. Evidence even suggested that a small rodent had once lived inside the statue.

Details such as these helped researchers learn more about the sculpture's long history before it eventually ended up on the seabed.

Exactly how Apoxyomenos came to rest in the waters near Lošinj, however, remains unknown.

From the Seabed to Its Own Museum

After being raised from the sea, the statue underwent a lengthy process of desalination, conservation and restoration. The restoration work lasted approximately six years.

Following its restoration, Apoxyomenos was presented to audiences in Croatia and abroad before eventually returning to Lošinj.

Today, it is displayed at the Museum of Apoxyomenos in Mali Lošinj, a museum designed specifically around this single extraordinary exhibit.

From a sculpture hidden for centuries in the silence of the Adriatic Sea, Apoxyomenos has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Lošinj and an important part of Croatia's cultural heritage.

Apoxyomenos as Inspiration for Interior Design

The combination of ancient art, stone, bronze, the passage of time and the Mediterranean inspired us to create our Apoxyomenos decorative wallpaper.

The image of an ancient sculpture in a contemporary interior creates an intriguing contrast between classical and modern design. The monumental figure becomes part of the space while retaining the calm and timeless character of ancient art.

Thanks to its neutral tones and distinctive texture, the wallpaper works particularly well in modern and minimalist interiors, Mediterranean-inspired spaces and combinations of natural stone, wood, concrete and simple furniture.

It can become a striking feature wall in a living room, dining room or bedroom, while also working beautifully in hotels, restaurants, apartments and other sophisticated commercial interiors.

A Piece of the Mediterranean on Your Wall

Every interior can tell a story.

With Apoxyomenos wallpaper, that story goes beyond aesthetics. It is inspired by one of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries of the Croatian Adriatic – a sculpture that, after spending almost two thousand years beneath the sea, has once again become part of our time.

Discover the Apoxyomenos decorative wallpaper in the Tvoja Tapeta collection.