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The Return of the Rocky Statue to Its Original Home
Philadelphia is set to welcome one of its most iconic symbols back to its original location. The Rocky statue, a beloved landmark, will soon be relocated to the top of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps. This decision comes after a vote by the Philadelphia Art Commission, which approved the move with a 4-1 vote, including one abstention.
The original statue had been positioned at the base of the museum steps since 2006. Now, it will return to the top, where it will remain permanently. Supporters of the move argue that this action restores the statue to its intended and original placement, as envisioned by the artist and as seen in the "Rocky" films.
Marguerite Anglin, public art director for the city of Philadelphia, emphasized the significance of the relocation. “The top of the steps is where the artist intended it to stand, where it was first unveiled and where the Rocky story lives for many people,” she said. “The steps and the statue are inseparable.”
The statue attracts over 4 million visitors annually, and this number is expected to grow as Philadelphia prepares to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026. Before the permanent move, the original Rocky statue will be temporarily displayed indoors as part of a Rocky exhibit at the Art Museum from April to August. Later this fall, it will replace the replica currently at the top of the steps, though it will be placed slightly farther back.
Philadelphia is home to three identical Rocky statues. The original, made famous by the film "Rocky III," will now be moved to the top of the steps. A second statue, owned by Sylvester Stallone, was loaned to the city last year and currently sits at the top of the steps. A third statue is on display at Philadelphia International Airport.
Once the original statue is installed at the top, the replica will be returned to Stallone. However, some concerns have been raised about accessibility, as not all visitors can climb the museum’s 72 steps. In response, city officials have announced that a wheelchair-accessible shuttle will run continuously, transporting visitors from the bottom of the steps to the top and back down.
“I look at the statue and where it is, and it is very accessible,” one speaker said at the meeting. “It is where an 80-year-old man doesn’t have to climb the steps if he doesn’t want to.”
Most visitors interviewed near the museum expressed their belief that the statue belongs at the top of the steps, echoing the famous scene from the "Rocky" films. “The movie portrayed him with that effort, the challenge that he surpassed,” one visitor said. “That’s my inspiration — the original should be up there.” Another added, “That’s where he finished his run.”
City officials have also mentioned that a city-owned sculpture will replace the Rocky statue at the bottom of the steps, although the specific piece has yet to be determined. This move marks a significant moment in Philadelphia’s cultural history, as the city continues to honor its legacy and the enduring spirit of the Rocky character.