Monument of Camillo Benso, Turin
Monument of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (Monumento a Camillo Benso conte di Cavour) is a beautiful and detailed monument on one of the central squares of Turin. This installation of one of the leaders of Risorgimento deserves attention. Moreover, one way or another, you will stumble upon it, visiting the palaces and museums of the city center.
Personality and the creation of a monument
The monument is dedicated to the statesman of the 19th century, Count of Cavour. Becoming a politician, he had already actively supported the war for independence with Austria from 1847. After a failed revolution, Cavour took several ministerial positions in the government of Sardinia-Piedmont. He was Minister of Trade, Finance, and then headed the government. After gaining independence of Italy, he became the first Prime Minister of the country. But soon fell ill with malaria and died suddenly in 1861.
Within two days, the collection of funds for the construction of the politician’s monument began. The count earned such a reputation that by the end of the year there was simply an unthinkable amount of 850 thousand lire! In 1863 the project of Antonio Cipolla was chosen, but after a while the commission changed the decision, approving the sketches of the sculptor from Siena – Giovanni Duprè. In 1865 he began to work. On November 8, 1873, the monument was opened in the presence of King Vittorio Emmanuel II. At first the monument was accepted rather coldly, even with a murmur. But later the townspeople changed their anger to mercy.
Sculptural installation
Pink graniteof Baveno was used for the pedestal of the monument, for statues – Carrara white marble, and for bas-reliefs – bronze. At the top of the pedestal there are statues: the earl himself, holding a sheet of paper with the words "Libera chiesa in libero Stato", and a nude woman, as a symbol of Italy, holding the crown out for him, for the deeds of the politician in the unification of the country. The monument contains 4 symbolic sculptural groups:
- Law. A risen man who regains his strength.
- Policy. A cunning woman holding children in her arms: one as a symbol of the revolution, the other pointing to the text of the Doctrine of 1815 "Plebiscito e non intervento".
- Debt. A young man with a laurel wreath on his head.
- Independence. A woman in a helmet, throwing a torn chain to the ground. She is surrounded by two children, symbolizing freedom and unity.
In addition to them, the pedestal is lavishly decorated with bas-reliefs. There are images of the coat of arms of 24 Italian provinces, as well as images of the ministries headed by Cavour. The two largest reliefs depict the Count during the Congress in Paris and the return of Sardinian troops from the Crimea.
How to get there
The monument is located on Piazza Carlo Emanuele II in the center of Turin. Not far from the square there are beautiful Palaces of Coardi and Costa Carru. You can get there by buses № 6, 18, 61, 68, S05, S18, STAR2. Stop Giolitti.
