Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, Bologna
The monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi (Monumento a Garibaldi) in Bologna is dedicated to one of the greatest heroes of the Risorgimento of Italy. The national favorite earned a real “monumental” boom when monuments in his honor were erected across the entire country.
Historical personality
Garibaldi was a real mover and leader of the Risorgimento in Italy. Who knows, would the state be united without his involvement? Giuseppe could not stand idly by and immediately joined the first independence war with Austria in 1848. The volunteer units headed by him went through the war with honor. After the defeat of Garibaldi, he was unhappy with the truce with Austria and settled on the island of Caprera. In 1858 a new war broke out, and the Italian hero joined it again.
After the unification of Italy, the old soldier returned to his island residence, again disagreeing with the political decisions of his comrades. He was elected a deputy of state council several times, but he flatly refused to take this position, because he didn’t like political games. In 1876, Garibaldi was awarded a life pension which he donated to charity. For his patriotism and intransigence, as well as closeness to the common people, he became the favorite of many Italians during his lifetime.
Sculptural design
Originally, the idea to create a monument in Bologna appeared on July 3, 1882, a month after the general’s death. It was decided to collect 40,000 lire to create a monument. However, soon the decision was changed in favor of the construction of public baths named after Garibaldi. Then in 1894, the council of war veterans returned to the idea of a monument. A competition among Italian artists was announced. The creation was supposed to cost 60,000 lire. Florentine Arnaldo Zocchi was the one to win, he was commissioned to create a statue after his design was approved. The opening of the monument took place on July 7, 1900. It was installed right where the statue dedicated to another figure of Risorgimento, priest Hugo Bassi, used to stand. In 2007, the monument was restored to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the revolutionary.
The monument is 8.7 meters high in total. It is crowned with a bronze equestrian statue which is 3.8 meters high. Garibaldi is depicted in his usual poncho, riding a horse. The 4.9-meter high pedestal is made of Baveno pink granite. It is decorated with various ornaments and small reliefs with lion heads.
How to get
The statue is symbolically placed on Via dell'Indipendenza, 47. It is the historical center of the city. The Monument to the Fallen and the Medieval Museum can be found nearby. The closest bus stop is Arena Del Sole (route T2).
