Monument to Alessandro Ferrero, Turin
The monument to Alessandro Ferrero la Marmora in Turin is a skillfully created monument placed in one of the city’s gardens. Courage, devotion, innovation. It has absorbed military heroism and is an example of true professionalism.
Personality and history of the monument
The monument is dedicated to the colonel of the Italian army of the 19th century. Having come from a military family, Alessandro showed considerable heroism at the beginning of his career. Over the years, he managed to get to the rank of major general and take part in several wars including the Italian Risorgimento movement. However, this is not why people remember this warrior-aristocrat. He conducted research studies in the field of military affairs and founded the Bersaglieri Regiment, a unit of elite shooters. Since the establishment of the unit in 1836, it has grown from 2 squadrons to 6 regiments. The general died of cholera during the Crimean War in 1855.
After his death, Alessandro's associates proposed the idea to create a monument to their leader. The project was led by sculptor Giuseppe Cassano, and the monument was made in 1867, five years after approval.
Sculpture
The statue stands tall in the middle of the garden dedicated to the general on a 4-meter high pedestal. Stone was used for the base steps, and red granite was used for the plinth. It has bas-reliefs – scenes from the life of the serviceman – on its opposite sides. The first one is a depiction of the first Bersaglieri military operation under the command of Alessandro la Marmor, the Battle of Goito on April 8, 1848. The other one is the scene of the death of the general in Crimea on June 7, 1855. A 3.5 meters high bronze statue can be seen on the top. It captures the moment when Alessandro dressed as a colonel rushes into the battle with an unsheathed saber.
How to get
The monument is located in the very center of Turin, on Via Cernaia, 6–12. It stands in the beautiful classical park Lamarmora hidden between the 19th-century buildings. There is also Piazza Solferino with the amazing Angelica Fountain nearby. You can get here by trams № 7, 13, and buses № 13N, 29, 51, 56, 59, 72, N10, W01, W15. Get off at the Siccardi stop.
