Statua del Gigante, Monumental statue in Monterosso al Mare, Italy.
The Statua del Gigante is a monumental work made from iron and cement that rises from the coast and depicts Neptune. The figure towers from the immediate landscape and creates a clear presence against the open sea.
Sculptor Arrigo Minerbi created this statue in 1910 during a period of artistic development in Liguria. The work emerged when artists were exploring new materials and methods in public spaces.
The statue depicts Neptune and connects the local relationship with the sea to classical gods that visitors can see throughout this coastal village. It stands as a sign of how people here have long honored their connection to the water.
The statue sits along the coastal path connecting the old and new town and is best reached on foot. The best time to visit is morning when sunlight comes lower across the water and the light is more favorable.
The statue was built from industrial materials, an unusual choice for the time period that showed artists exploring new techniques. This combination of iron and cement held up far better against saltwater and wind than traditional materials.
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