Rocky Statue

Rocky Statue

Type	Public sculpture
Address	2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Map	View on Google Maps
Neighborhood	Fairmount
Website	Official site
Established	1982 (original); 2006 (current location)
Hours	Always accessible

Rocky Statuehttps://philamuseum.org2600 Benjamin Franklin ParkwayPhiladelphiaPAUS

The Rocky Statue is a bronze sculpture of the fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, located near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Originally created as a prop for Rocky III (1982), the statue has become one of Philadelphia's most popular tourist attractions and a symbol of the city's underdog spirit.

History

Creation

The statue was created by artist A. Thomas Schomberg for the film Rocky III (1982):

• Commissioned by Sylvester Stallone
• Three bronze casts were made
• First appeared on screen in 1982
• Stallone donated one cast to the city

Location Controversy

The statue's placement sparked debate:

• 1982 — Placed atop Museum steps for filming
• 1982 — Moved to Spectrum sports arena after film
• 1990 — Returned briefly to Museum steps
• 2006 — Permanently placed at base of steps
• Art vs. popular culture debate among museum officials

Why Not at the Top?

The Philadelphia Art Commission ruled the statue shouldn't be at the top of the steps, considering it a movie prop rather than fine art. The compromise placed it at the base, to the right of the steps.

The Rocky Steps

The "Rocky Steps" — the 72 stone steps leading to the Museum entrance — are equally iconic:

• Rocky runs up them in training montages
• Tourists recreate the scene daily
• Bronze footprints mark the top
• Part of Philadelphia's identity

Visiting

The Statue

Detail	Information
Location	Base of Art Museum steps (to the right)
Access	Always open, free
Photo op	Line forms during peak times
Time needed	10-15 minutes (longer with steps)

Running the Steps

To recreate the famous scene:

• Start at the bottom (Eakins Oval)
• Run up all 72 steps
• Raise your arms at the top
• Turn around for the view
• Optional: Play the theme music

Cultural Impact

The Character

Rocky Balboa embodies Philadelphia's underdog identity:

• Working-class hero from South Philly
• Against-all-odds story
• City embraced the character as its own
• Statue represents resilience and determination

In Film

The steps appear in multiple Rocky films:

• Rocky (1976) — Original training scene
• Rocky II (1979) — Triumphant return
• Rocky III (1982) — Statue unveiled
• Rocky Balboa (2006) — Statue dedication scene
• Creed (2015) — New generation

Getting There

• SEPTA Subway — Spring Garden Station (Broad Street Line)
• Bus — Routes 38, 43 to Art Museum
• Walking — Along Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Parking — Museum lot or street parking

See Also

• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Fairmount
• South Philadelphia (Rocky's fictional neighborhood)

External Links

• Visit Philadelphia - Rocky Statue