Highlights
Don't miss
Approach the statue and observe the details of the face: the determined expression, the gaze fixed on the horizon, the folds of the poncho rendered with mastery by Davide Calandra.
Walk around the marble pedestal and read the inscriptions commemorating the deeds of the Hero of the Two Worlds.
On market days (Wednesday and Saturday morning), Piazza Garibaldi comes alive with colours and life, creating an evocative contrast with the solemnity of the monument.
The cult of Garibaldi in post-unification Italy
In late 19th-century Italy, the cult of Garibaldi was very strong. Cities commemorated the hero with monuments. Parma was no exception. In 1882, on Garibaldi's death, the city council decided to dedicate a monument to him.
The choice fell on Piazza Garibaldi, renamed thus in his honour.
Parma chose to celebrate the cult of Garibaldi within the broader Italian Risorgimento ambition and his connection with Parma, where he briefly stayed in 1859 during the Wars of Independence.
Davide Calandra and the inauguration of 1893
The commission was entrusted to the sculptor Davide Calandra in 1887. The Piedmontese artist, already known for his patriotic works, devoted six years to the creation of the work. Calandra worked on the statue for six years.
He created a Garibaldi in bronze, 3 metres tall, on a marble pedestal that further amplifies the majesty of the whole. The result was a work that perfectly captured the heroic spirit and determination of the leader.
The statue: heroic pose and sculptural details
The statue depicts Garibaldi standing, with a determined expression on his face. He wears his famous beret and poncho, distinctive symbols of the leader that made him recognisable around the world.
His left arm rests relaxed along his body, while his right hand grips the hilt of his sword firmly, in a gesture that expresses strength and readiness for action.
The stride is straight and slightly forward, as if Garibaldi were about to set off.
Calandra's bronze homage to the patriot of Italian Unification
The Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi is one of the most representative symbols of Parma. Set in the very central Piazza Garibaldi, the work was created by the sculptor Davide Calandra and inaugurated in 1893. The monument depicts the Hero of the Two Worlds standing, with his hands resting on the hilt of his sword, on a tall marble pedestal. The statue of Garibaldi has become a landmark for the people of Parma and visitors to the city alike. It stands directly in front of the Palazzo del Governatore, in what is undoubtedly one of the most popular squares in Parma. The monument is a tribute to the heroic figure of Garibaldi and to the history of the Unification of Italy.
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Origins of the monument: a city celebrates its hero
In the Italy of the late 19th century, the cult of Garibaldi was very strong. Cities celebrated the hero with monuments and Parma was no exception. In 1882, on Garibaldi's death, the city council resolved to dedicate a monument to him. The chosen site fell on Piazza Garibaldi, renamed in his honour. Parma chose to celebrate the cult of Garibaldi within the broader Italian Risorgimento ambition and his bond with the city, where he stayed briefly in 1859 during the wars of independence. Parma wished to pay lasting homage to the hero who had contributed to the liberation and unification of the peninsula.
The work of Davide Calandra
The commission was entrusted to the sculptor Davide Calandra in 1887. The Piedmontese artist, already known for his patriotic works, devoted six years to the realisation of the piece. Calandra worked on the statue for six years. He created a bronze Garibaldi, three metres tall, on a marble pedestal that further amplifies the majesty of the whole. The result was a work that perfectly captured the heroic spirit and determination of the leader. The monument was inaugurated on 22 June 1893 with a great popular celebration. Thousands of citizens gathered in the square to mark the event in a display of patriotic pride that involved the entire community of Parma. The inauguration was a moment of strong collective identity, in which the city restated its Risorgimento values.
Description of the statue: a hero in bronze
The statue depicts Garibaldi standing, with a determined expression on his face. He wears his famous cap and poncho, the distinctive symbols that made him recognisable around the world. His left arm is relaxed along the body, while his right hand grips the hilt of his sword firmly, in a gesture that conveys strength and readiness for action. His step is straight and slightly forward, as though Garibaldi were about to set off. This dynamic gives the figure movement, conveying the vitality and power that defined the hero's character. His gaze is set forward, towards the horizon, a symbol of the vision and the ideal for which he fought all his life. The folds of the poncho and the details of the face are rendered with great mastery by the sculptor Davide Calandra, who succeeded in capturing not only Garibaldi's physical appearance but also his indomitable spirit. The marble pedestal raises the statue around 3 metres above the ground, making it a dominating presence in the square.