Statue of Evangelista Torricelli, Faenza
The statue of Evangelista Torricelli is one of the city monuments of Faenza. The beautiful monument is dedicated to an outstanding scientist from this small Italian city. The commune fully honored the memory of the famous countryman as well.
Historical figure
Torricelli was born in Faenza was an Italian physicist and mathematician, known not only in his homeland but all over Europe. He became a disciple of Galileo Galilei himself and continued his work. He achieved significant success in mathematics, hydraulics, mechanics and science of atmospheric pressure. It was Torricelli who proved the existence of it, and also invented the first mercury barometer. He also made simple microscopes and telescope parts. A unit of pressure, lyceum in Faenza and street in Paris as well as a series of submarines and a Moon crater were named after this man.
History
In late 1852, an idea to perpetuate the memory of a famous physicist was born among the members of the local council. Fundraising was started, and a local sculptor Alessandro Tomba was hired to create the monument. In 1855, after the municipality approved of the project, the artist made a plaster model of the statue. After that, the sculpture was completed in 1861. Initially, it was presented at an exhibition in Florence. Once the exhibition ended, the statue was taken to Faenza in 1862; that’s also when a place for monument installation was finally chosen after long discussions. The plinth was completed in 1863. The opening of the monument was held on October 16, 1864.
Just like the plinth, the statue is made of white marble. The scientist is depicted sitting on a chair, lost in thought while holding a barometer created by him in his left hand. By the way, the original project included the installation of two more allegorical female figures symbolizing science and geometry. The original plaster model of the statue was given to the museum in Florence in 1875 by the sculptor's heirs.
How to get
The statue of Evangelista Torricelli is located in a small park in Piazza San Francesco, in the center of Faenza. The statue of the Immaculate Conception can be found a block away. The closest bus stop is called Corso Garibaldi, you can catch the bus № 51 there.
