The iron-willed statue of defiance

The Monument to Cecco d'Ascoli, situated in Piazza G. Matteotti, in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno, stands as a testament to the tenacity and determination of the ascolani. Completed in 1922, the process began a century earlier, in 1864, when the first proposal for the monument was made. However, it was not realized until 1919 due to opposition from clericals and other obstacles. The statue was funded by Count Roberto Fiocca-Novi, an ascolano living in New York, who gathered funds from ascolani immigrants living there.

The statue was built by the Florentine sculptor, Edoardo Camilli, who gave Cecco a stern and solemn appearance. The statue, dedicated to Cecco d'Ascoli, was unveiled in New York, but it was not officially inaugurated until 1921. The statue is 3.40 meters tall and stands on a marble pedestal. In 2019, the 750th anniversary of Cecco's birth, Ascoli Piceno officially inaugurated the statue that had been uncovered by five high school students. The statue was covered with a pannone, but is now uncovered, asking questions as vibrant as ever.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons