Monument to Bridge Builders, Piacenza
Monument to Bridge Builders (Monumento ai Pontieri) in Piacenza exalts the heroism of the soldiers of the engineering regiment during the First World War. In the course of the First World War, the employees of the engineering divisions struck everybody with their heroism. They really saved lives, and did not take them. Thanks to their dedication to restoring bridges, many soldiers and civilians were rescued. After the war was over, it was decided to erect a monument dedicated to them. The project was led by a young artist and sculptor from Verona – Mario Salazzari, who served in such an engineering department. The monument was opened on May 29, 1928 in the presence of the mayor of the city Giuseppe Barbellini Amidei and the King of Italy Victor Emmanuel III.
Sculptural composition
The total height of the monument is 16 meters. At the base there are several rows of steps of white stone. A stela of white marble, decorated with ornaments stands on the pedestal. On the top of the pedestal there are 4 bas-reliefs with coats of arms of Rome, Venice, Piacenza and Verona. From the bottom it is framed by 4 groups of bronze sculptures. Soldiers who have rescued a drowning woman are depicted from the side of the river, behind their backs – another woman raises a child to heaven as a token of gratitude and as a symbol of the continuity of generations. Soldiers pulling the boat on the shore are depicted from the side of the city, behind them there is the figure of a woman in the image of an ancient goddess, symbolizing Italy. On the sides of the monument there are figures of old people pouring water from jugs. These are the allegories of the Isonzo and Piave rivers, where the engineering units were based and the main fights took place.
How to get there
The monument is located on Milan Square in Piacenza, at the intersection of Viale Risorgimento and Via Cardinale Maculani. The Po River flows very close to it and the bridge is crossing it. And closer to the city center there is the famous Farnese Palace. A hundred meters away there is a bus stop AUSL. Routes 2, 3, 12, 16, E11, E20, E35, E50 lead to it.
