Editing Philadelphia Museum of Art (section)

== The Rocky Steps and Statue ==

=== The 72 Steps ===

The Rocky Steps consist of '''72 stone steps''' leading up to the East entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The steps gained worldwide fame after appearing in the 1976 film ''Rocky'', where Sylvester Stallone's character Rocky Balboa runs up them as part of his training montage, triumphantly raising his fists at the top.<ref name="rockysteps">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Steps |title=Rocky Steps |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

The scene, scored to Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," has become one of the most iconic moments in film history. Today, thousands of visitors recreate the run daily, making it a quintessential Philadelphia experience.

=== Rocky Statue Location ===

The '''Rocky statue''' is located at the '''bottom of the Rocky Steps''', at ground level on the east side of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Since 2006, the statue has occupied this permanent location, and there is typically a steady stream of visitors waiting to photograph themselves with the bronze figure.

The 8.5-foot bronze sculpture was created by artist A. Thomas Schomberg in 1980 for the film ''Rocky III'' (1982). After filming, Sylvester Stallone donated the statue to the City of Philadelphia. Its placement has been controversial over the years—art purists argued it didn't belong near a world-class art museum, while Rocky fans considered it a beloved symbol of the city.

=== Visiting the Steps and Statue ===

'''Yes''', running up the Rocky Steps and taking photos with the Rocky statue are completely free. The steps are outdoor public space and accessible 24 hours a day. You do not need a museum ticket to run the steps or visit the statue.

'''Tips for visiting:'''
* Early mornings and weekdays are less crowded
* The view from the top is spectacular, looking down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to City Hall
* Photos with the statue may require waiting in a brief line during peak hours
* The steps can be slippery when wet