The granite monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi in Lecco

Four times, Giuseppe Garibaldi came to Lecco - a city where he was a guest during his travels. The statue, a memorial by the Milanese sculptor Francesco Confalonieri, was erected in 1884, seven years before the inauguration of the monument to the writer Alessandro Manzoni. This work is considered the second sculpture in Italy dedicated to the Hero of the Two Worlds by a deceased artist. While the monument in Cesenatico claims priority, the monument in Luino dates to 1867, commemorating Garibaldi's first battle on Italian territory in 1848.

The sculpture, carved from white granite from Baveno, depicts the patriot in a standing figure over three meters tall. He is shown in a solemn and bold pose with his gaze turned toward the east, in contrast to many other monuments that face Rome, the city he never managed to conquer. The poncho draped over his shoulders, the handkerchief knotted at his neck, the bare head, the left hand in the pocket, and the right hand gripping a sword together convey physical and moral vigor as an example of civil virtue.

On the pedestal are the names of four Garibaldini from the Lecco territory who participated in the Spedizione dei Mille: the brothers Carlo and Giuseppe Torri-Tarelli of Onno, Ernesto Berthé of San Giovanni alla Castagna, and the Valsassinese Tranquillo Baruffaldi of Barzio. During the 20th century, the statue was moved to a position in front of the Teatro della Società, opposite the Albergo Croce di Malta. This hotel hosted Garibaldi four times between 1859 and 1866, as evidenced by plaques still on the building's facade.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons