Garraffo, Marble sculpture in Vucciria Market, Palermo, Italy
The Genio del Garraffo is a marble statue housed in a wall niche at Piazzetta del Garraffo, depicting a bearded man wearing a crown. The figure sits on a throne, holds a snake, and is decorated with an eagle, all symbolizing power and authority.
Pietro de Bonitate created this Carrara marble statue in 1483 for merchants from Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Catalonia living in Palermo. It was originally placed in a fountain before being relocated to its current wall niche.
This statue is one of seven representations of the protective spirit of Palermo, an ancient deity watched over the city and its people. Visitors can see today how this mythical guardian was carved in stone and what role it played in the city's identity.
The work is located at Piazzetta del Garraffo within the Vucciria Market and is easy to reach by walking through the market's narrow streets. The location is typically busy during daytime hours and offers a good chance to experience the local atmosphere.
Local residents call this statue Palermu lu Grandi because it is larger than another representation of the same deity at Palazzo Pretorio. This size made it a notable landmark in the crowded market area for centuries.
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