Monument to Daniele Manin, Turin
Monument to Daniele Manin in Turin (Monumento a Daniele Manin) is located in Giardino Aiuola Balbo. It perfectly complements the entire sculptural composition of 5 monuments to the heroes of Risorgimento in Italy. In this old garden you can not only relax, but also get acquainted with the stories of iconic personalities of that stormy era.
Historical personality
The monument is dedicated to Daniele Manin, who, although not directly related to Turin, still contributed to the unification of Italy. He was a lawyer in Venice and had little interest in politics, but in 1847 changed his views by submitting to the Austrian government a petition on the self-government of Venice. In 1848, his arrest by the Austrians became the cause of popular unrest. The Austrians were expelled from the city and Manin headed the Venetian Republic, becoming its president. For 2 years, with the help of his allies from Sardinia and without them, he actively fought against the Austrians. After the final defeat of the Italians, he resigned and went into exile. He spent the last years of his life in France, teaching. He died in 1857.
Sculpture and history of creation
After his death, ordinary citizens and various organizations gathered a donation for the erection of a monument in Turin. The works were carried out according to the Vincenzo Vela project since 1858. On March 22, 1861 the monument was opened and placed in the park Giardino dei Ripari near the square of Maria Theresa. In 1874, it was transferred to the center of the park Giardino Aiuola Balbo, completing the installation of sculptures of famous personalities of the Risorgimento era.
Now the statue is set in the middle of a small vertical fountain in the same place as 140 years ago. The pedestal has a height of 4.5 meters and is made of stone and pink granite, on its front side there is an inscription about the life of the politician. The composition is crowned by a sculpture of a woman made out of white marble, which symbolizes Italy. She is dressed in a sleeveless robe, the right hand is stretched forward. Previously, she held a branch, which symbolizes the suffering of the people. With her left hand, the woman holds an oval medallion with a bas-relief of Daniele Manin's bust. The lion of the San Marco of the Venetian Republic is depicted on the back of the medallion.
How to get there
The monument is located in the heart of the park, next to Piazza Cavour. On 4 sides of the sculpture there are 4 statues of other heroes of the revolution. Just behind the park in the north there is the Natural Science Museum. You can get there by buses № 6, 18, 61, 68, S05, S18, STAR2. Get off at the Cavour stop.
