Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, Bronze memorial statue on Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice, Italy
This memorial is a bronze equestrian statue located on Riva degli Schiavoni showing the first king of unified Italy and standing on a pedestal with additional sculptures. The entire structure reaches about 10 meters high and combines the mounted central figure with female figures and lion sculptures at its base.
The memorial was created by sculptor Ettore Ferrari and unveiled in 1887 to mark the unification of Italy under its first king. Its construction was part of the broader effort to establish national monuments in places of great importance.
The lions at the base carry symbolic meaning tied to Venice's own identity, linking this memorial to the city's heritage. The female figures surrounding them tell stories of power and authority that visitors can still interpret today.
The memorial sits on the waterfront at Riva degli Schiavoni near Saint Mark's Square, meaning the view changes depending on your position. The open space around it offers good opportunities for viewing and photographing from different angles.
One of the female figures at the base actually depicts a woman wrestling with a chained lion, setting it apart from typical decorative pedestal sculptures. This unusual detail gives the work a dramatic quality that many visitors overlook on first viewing.
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