Monument to Virgil

The Monument to Virgil features a bronze statue of the poet holding a scroll at its center, accompanied by allegorical figures representing epic and pastoral poetry. The work stands on a Carrara marble base that gives the composition a stately and dignified presence on the piazza.

The monument was built following the demolition of an outdoor amphitheater in 1919, conceived as a collaborative project with architect Luca Beltrami and sculptor Emilio Quadrelli. Its construction was completed in 1927, funded through public donations, municipal support, and contributions from the Italian state.

The monument honors Virgil, one of Rome's greatest poets born near Mantua, whose works like the Aeneid shaped classical literature and remain widely read today. The plaza around the statue serves as a space where visitors can connect with the city's most celebrated literary figure.

The monument sits in the center of Piazza Virgiliana, surrounded by tree-lined paths and benches that make it easy to spend time here. The setting is accessible and provides visitors with a comfortable spot to sit and view the sculpture from different angles.

The final cost of the monument exceeded one million lire, a substantial sum for the era that reflected how deeply the region valued the poet's legacy. This made it one of the most expensive cultural projects undertaken in Mantua at that time.