Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi
The Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi is an imposing equestrian statue in Rome, located at the highest point of the Janiculum hill in Piazza Garibaldi. Designed by Emilio Gallori in 1895, it honors Giuseppe Garibaldi, who is known as the "Hero of Two Worlds." The sculpture is presented as a prominent equestrian monument in a highly visible location, reflecting Garibaldi’s historical importance.
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Identification | |
| Title | Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi |
| Subject | Giuseppe Garibaldi |
| Nickname | the Hero of the Two Worlds |
| Type | Equestrian statue |
Historical context | |
| Date designed | 1895 |
| Inauguration date | 20 September 1895 |
| Historical occasion | Inaugurated for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Capture of Rome |
Creator | |
| Designer | Emilio Gallori |
| Inaugurated by | Enrico Gallori |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Garibaldi statue foundry | Cast by Alessandro Nelli of Rome |
| Bronze groups foundry | Cast at the Galli foundry in Florence |
Physical characteristics | |
| Base | Large marble pedestal |
| Bronze groups | Four bronze groups flank the pedestal |
| Bas-reliefs | Four bas-reliefs |
| Description | Imposing |
| Main figure | Giuseppe Garibaldi riding a horse |
Materials | |
| Base material | Marble |
| Statue material | Bronze |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Bas-relief subjects | The landing at Marsala; the resistance of Boiada; the defense of Rome in 1849; the group of freedom |
| Long-side bronze groups | Allegorical figures of Europe with History and Genius, and America with Industry and Commerce |
| Short-side bronze groups | The Bersaglieri of Luciano Manara at the defense of Rome in 1849, and the fighters of Calatafimi in 1860 |
| Freemasonry association | Garibaldi was an important Freemason, as was the monument's maker, Gallori |
Other | |
| Crown on the steps | A crown with the Garibaldian motto "O Roma o morte" was placed on the right steps of the base by the Italian Freemasonry led by Ettore Ferrari on Garibaldi's centenary, 4 July 1907 |
History and restoration | |
| Damage | Struck by lightning on the night of 7 September 2018, damaging the marble pedestal |
| Recent restoration and protection | Restoration began in 2022 and was completed in 2023; a lightning rod based on the Faraday cage principle was installed |
| Fascist period alteration | During Fascism, the crown was replaced by symbols of the regime |
| Restoration | Restored by the Comune di Roma in 1990 |
| Crown restoration | A copy of the crown was put back in place in 1943 |
Location and ownership | |
| Location | Rome, on the summit of the Gianicolo in Piazza Garibaldi |
| Orientation | Originally said to direct its gaze toward the Vatican; after the Lateran Treaty in 1929, the statue was turned to face the city of Rome |
| Political interpretation of placement | The monument's placement prompted political interpretations because it was inaugurated while relations between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See were still suspended |
| Popular legend about orientation | A Roman legend says that the horse offers its backside to the Holy See |