Monument to Giuseppe Cottolengo, Turin

The monument to Giuseppe Cottolengo in Turin is not very well-known. It is inconspicuous, as are the accomplishments of the person to whom it is dedicated. Nevertheless, the residents still honor him. After all, he became a saint having made a great contribution to the development of the capital of Piedmont.

Personality and history of the monument

The statue is dedicated to a Catholic priest who was canonized in 1934. In 1827, a recognized theologian was faced with a problem – the poor were denied medical care. A year later, in 1828, he opened a hospital-shelter in the center of Turin. In 1832, the facility moved to the industrial district of Valdocco. The hospital was called "Piccola Casa della Divina Provvidenza" and provided medical care to the poor and orphans. Now it is located in the same district and occupies a huge area.

Five years after the death of the priest, in 1847, a monument was erected in a recess of the hospital facade. Then in 1917, on the occasion of his canonizing, another statue appeared in the courtyard of the institution.

Sculptural composition

The composition consists of three marble figures. The actual saint Giuseppe is placed in the center, the figures of an old man and a child are on both sides of the monument. This was made to show the layers of society that received help from the priest. The statue in the courtyard is also made of marble. It is similar to the older version, only bigger and consists only of two figures: the saint and the old man.

How to get

The monument is located almost in the center of Turin, near the intersection of Via San Pietro in Vincoli and Via S. Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo. The Museum of Oriental Art and the Museum of the Holy Shroud are located nearby. You can get here by trams № 3, 16CD, 16CS, and buses « 52, 67, 1085, W60. Get off at the Ospedale Cottolengo stop.