Equestrian monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, Bronze equestrian sculpture in La Spezia, Italy

The equestrian monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi in La Spezia is a bronze statue of the general on a rearing horse, set on a base of Romito stone in the Public Gardens. The bronze weighs 6 tonnes and rests on only the horse's hind legs, a rare solution among equestrian monuments.

In 1882 La Spezia planned a monument to Garibaldi, who had stayed in the city in 1849, 1862 and 1867. A competition among Italian sculptors chose Antonio Garella's sketch, and the orange trees in the Public Gardens were cut down for the Romito stone base. The bronze was inaugurated on 1 June 1913 before Garibaldi veterans and a crowd, with three days of concerts, rowing races and cycling events.

The monument commemorates Garibaldi's three stays in La Spezia: in 1849 after the fall of the Roman Republic, in 1862 after his wound at Aspromonte, and in 1867 after Mentana. Its 1913 inauguration lasted three days, with band and choral concerts, hymns by Pietro Cerresi and Domenico Cortopassi, rowing races and cycling competitions.

The monument sits within the Public Gardens and is easily accessible on foot, with open green spaces and pathways for exploring. Visitors should plan to come during milder weather to fully appreciate the work and its surroundings.

The horse stands upon its hind legs, a rare pose for equestrian monuments of that era, conveying energy and motion more forcefully than calmer stances. This dynamic feature sets the composition apart from other Garibaldi monuments across Italy.