Colonna Infame, Limestone memorial column in Piazza Mercantile, Bari, Italy
Colonna Infame is a limestone column with four steps in Piazza Mercantile, topped by a sphere and featuring a crouching lion at its base. The white structure stands freely in the square, surrounded by the historic buildings and restaurants that define this central area.
The column was erected in 1546 under Spanish viceroy Pietro di Toledo as a public pillory for exposing insolvent debtors in this commercial district. It represented the city's authority over trade and financial matters during the medieval and early modern period.
The lion at the column's base bears the inscription 'Custos Iusticiae', meaning guardian of justice. This inscription connects the monument to civic authority and how medieval cities displayed power over commerce and law.
The memorial stands freely accessible in Piazza Mercantile, surrounded by cafes and shops that make it easy to explore on foot. You can reach it directly from surrounding streets without entering any building or paying admission.
The stone lion at the column's base dates from the Roman period, originally carved between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD as part of an ancient tomb. This ancient stone was later repurposed and integrated into the medieval monument, bridging two separate historical eras.
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