Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II "Heart of the King", Turin
Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II "Heart of the King" in Turin (Monumento "Cuore di re") vividly demonstrates the Italians’ love for their first king. The monument adorns the beautiful Parco della Tesoriera and is dedicated to the last king of Sardinia and the first king of the independent Italy. He is honoured in the homeland, despite the many rumors and vices that enveloped the monarch. He ruled in the second half of the 19th century and became an iconic figure for Risorgimento. Historians still doubt that he really was a prince, admitting the possibility that the prince died in a fire in infancy and was replaced by the son of a butcher. These assumptions are caused by differences in the appearance and character of the father and son. Keen gossipers love discussing the affaires and the number of mistresses of the king, of which there were many. But, nevertheless, through treaties, military campaigns and reforms he created the unified kingdom of Italy in 1861. The king died in 1878, and was buried in Rome.
In all of Italy there are many monuments to the monarch. In Turin, the most recognizable monument is huge. But, apart from it, there are others. And while there were disputes about the creation of the majestic statue, precisely this sculpture was the first to appear in 1886. Its author was the sculptor from Palermo – Ettore Ximenes. It transmits a small scene from the life of the monarch simply and clearly. The king is depicted in everyday clothes. He transferred his attention from important state affairs to a poor barefoot boy from the working area, embracing him and holding him on his knees. Next to them, there is a dog, curiously looking at this living picture.
How to get there
The "Heart of the King" monument is located quite far from the city center, in a public park on the corner of Corso Francia and Via Borgosesia. In the same park there is a beautiful Villa la Tesoriera. Nearby there is the Rubiana stop, to which buses 36, 101, W01 go. Rivoli Metro Station is in a 5-minute walk away.
