Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, statue by Raffaello Romanelli in Siena
The Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi is a bronze sculpture located in Siena's Lizza gardens, depicting the general mounted on horseback in a commanding pose. Created by sculptor Raffaello Romanelli and completed in 1896, the piece sits on a tall stone base adorned with two relief panels and inscriptions of major battle sites.
After Garibaldi's death, Siena's city council decided to erect a monument in his honor, but construction was delayed by disagreements over the best location. Sculptor Raffaello Romanelli received the commission in 1891, and the statue was unveiled on September 20, 1896, coinciding with the anniversary of Rome's capture.
Garibaldi represents Italian unification and independence to the people of Siena, embodying values of freedom and sacrifice that remain meaningful today. The statue depicts him wearing his iconic red shirt, the garment he famously wore during his campaigns and that made him instantly recognizable.
The monument sits in the Lizza gardens, easily reached on foot and surrounded by walking paths and benches for visitors to rest. The sculpture is freely accessible year-round and well-maintained, with its relief panels and inscriptions clearly visible from a distance.
The two relief panels at the base depict two different battles where Garibaldi fought: the landing at Marsala and the Battle of Mentana, capturing key moments of his military campaigns. These carved narratives were deliberately chosen to commemorate significant episodes of his struggle for Italian unification.
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