On the Gianicolo stands the Monumento ad Anita Garibaldi, a large equestrian statue. The idea for the monument first emerged in 1905, ahead of the centenary of Giuseppe Garibaldi's birth. In April 1906, a public fundraising campaign was launched by a committee led by Augusto Elia and Giuseppe Biancheri. While several sculptors were considered during the late 1920s, including Antonio Sciortino and Giuseppe Guastalla, the commission was eventually awarded to Mario Rutelli in 1929.
Rutelli's design was selected for its classical line and plastic synthesis. The statue depicts Anita on horseback as a leader of the Garibaldini during the battle of Curitibanos. The base features reliefs including Anita as a prisoner who manages to escape and searches for the body of Garibaldi, as well as her role as a leader during the battle.
The project was institutionalized under the control of Mussolini, who wanted to highlight the transformation of Garibaldism toward the fascist political movement. Rutelli received a sum of 800,000 lire for the commission, which was due for delivery by 1932. The monument was inaugurated on 4 June 1932, in the presence of the Garibaldi family, royalty, and numerous high-ranking civil and military authorities.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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