Italy is home to some of the most famous statues in the world, from Michelangelo’s David to Bernini’s dramatic Baroque masterpieces. Whether you’re planning a trip to Rome, Florence, Venice, or Milan, knowing which statues are worth seeing — and where to find them — will help you make the most of your time.

This guide covers the most famous statues in Italy, organized by city, with historical context and practical tips for visiting each one.

Are you planning a trip to Italy and want to learn a little about the art before going? If so, you’re in luck! This country has some of the world’s most famous and beautiful statues. And learning about them before you go will help you appreciate them so much more on your trip.

The Most Famous Statues in Italy (Quick List)

• Michelangelo’s David – Florence

• Michelangelo’s Pietà – Vatican City (Rome)

• Apollo and Daphne – Rome

• Moses by Michelangelo – Rome

• Marcus Aurelius on Horseback – Rome

• Perseus with the Head of Medusa – Florence

• Winged Lion of St. Mark – Venice

• La Madonnina – Milan

The Most Famous Statues in Rome

Here are the most famous statues to visit in Rome, plus a little bit about why each is considered to be a masterpiece.

Michelangelo’s Pieta

The Pieta is one of the most famous statues in Rome. Michelangelo’s masterpiece on display in St. Peter’s Basilica shows Mary holding the dead body of Jesus. It is carved out of pale Carrara marble and is a moving and gentle piece of sculpture.

Visiting tip: The Pietà is free to see inside St. Peter’s Basilica, but you’ll need to go through airport-style security. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the longest lines.

Moses Statue 

This statue is another Michelangelo masterpiece. It is a large and impressive sculpture of Moses with horns on his head. The horns were placed on the head due to a mistranslation of the Bible. According to “Christ and pop culture,” it happened because the Bible” didn’t have a word for a ray of light, so most biblical authors used the Hebrew word for horn, because the shape of a ray of light is kind of, sort of, like the shape of a horn.”

This statue is located in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, also home to some other famous statues.

Visiting tip: This church is rarely crowded and is included with free entry. Plan 20–30 minutes and pair it with nearby Colosseum sightseeing.

Apollo and Daphne Statue

The Apollo and Daphne statue is a beautiful piece of marble sculpture located in the Villa Borghese gardens. It was created by Bernini and is based on a Greek myth. The statue tells the story of Apollo, who falls in love with Daphne, a nymph. Daphne does not return his feelings, and she runs away from him. As she runs away, she prays to the gods to help her escape Apollo. They answer her prayers by turning her into a tree.

Visiting tip: This statue is inside the Borghese Gallery, which requires timed-entry tickets booked in advance. Visits are limited to two hours, so plan your route through the museum carefully.

The Statue of Marcus Aurelius

The Marcus Aurelius is one of the oldest statues in Rome. It is a life-size bronze statue of the emperor Marcus Aurelius on a horse. The statue used to be in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori but was moved to the Capitoline Museums in 1997.

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor who was known as the ruler during the Golden Age of the Roman Empire.

Visiting tip: The original statue is indoors at the Capitoline Museums. A replica stands outside in Piazza del Campidoglio. Tickets are required to see the original.

The Fountain of Neptune

The Fountain of Neptune is a large and impressive fountain in Piazza Navona. It was designed by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini and completed in 1651. The statue in the center of the fountain is of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. Four statues around the edge of the fountain represent different rivers. The fountain is one of the centerpieces of Piazza Navona.

Visiting tip: This fountain is free to visit and best seen early in the morning or after sunset when crowds thin and lighting improves photos.

The Elephant Statue

This is a famous statue that is located in Piazza della Minerva It was designed by Bernini and built in 1667-1668. The statue is of an elephant with an obelisk on its back. An obelisk is a tapered, skinny tower that is associated with ancient Egypt.

The obelisk was brought to Rome from Egypt by the emperor Augustus. The statue is a symbol of Augustus’ victory over the Egyptians.

Visiting tip: This statue is easy to miss despite its fame. Combine it with a visit to the Pantheon, which is just a short walk away.

Vittorio Emanuele on Horseback

This famous statue in Milan is located in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. It shows the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II, on a horse. The statue was sculpted by Ercole Rosa and Barzaghi brothers and completed in 1896. 

The statue is made from bronze and stands over 24 feet tall. It is one of the most photographed monuments in Rome.

Most Famous Statues in Florence

These statues are some of the easiest to see as they are in walking distance of each other and most are free to view.

The Statue of David

The most famous statue in Florence is the Statue of David. It was sculpted by Michelangelo from a single piece of marble. The statue is a representation of the Biblical hero David. It was commissioned by the Medici family and initially placed in the Palazzo Vecchio. It was moved to its current location, the Accademia Gallery, in 1873.

It is one of the most impressive pieces of sculpture in the world. It stands 17 feet high.

There is a replica of the David standing in the Piazza della Signore.

Visiting tip: Tickets to the Accademia Gallery should be booked weeks in advance, especially in high season. I

The Rape of the Sabine Women

This is a famous statue by the Italian artist Giambologna. It is located in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria. The statue shows the moment when the Roman soldiers abducted the Sabine women. The story goes that men founded Rome, and there were no women to create a more vital city. The Roman men were sent to nearby towns to abduct wives and bring them back.

This statue is outdoors in the Loggie Dei Lanzi, near a dozen other masterpieces. This sculpture is a favorite due to its movement and symmetry.

Visiting tip: This statue is outdoors in the Loggia dei Lanzi and completely free to view. Visit early or late for unobstructed photos.

Perseus with the Head of Medusa

This is a famous statue by the Italian artist Cellini. It is located in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria. The statue shows Perseus holding the head of Medusa. Medusa was a monster with snakes for hair who could turn people to stone if they looked at her. Perseus killed her and saved the princess, Andromeda. The statue is made from bronze and was completed in 1554.

Visiting tip: Located next to several other masterpieces in Piazza della Signoria, making this one of the best free sculpture-viewing spots in Italy.

The Fountain of Neptune

The Fountain of Neptune is located in the Boboli Gardens. It was designed by Bernini and completed in 1622. The statue shows Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, riding in a chariot pulled by four horses. The fountain is made from marble and bronze and is a centerpiece of the famous gardens.

Visiting tip: Located in the Boboli Gardens, which require an entrance ticket. Combine this visit with Palazzo Pitti to maximize value.

The Most Famous Statues in Venice

Here are the statues to look for in Venice. While there are fewer statues in Venice than in Florence and Rome, they are still spectacular.

The Winged Lion of St. Mark

This is the most famous statue in Venice and is also the city’s symbol. The winged lion symbolizes St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice. The statue is located in the Basilica in St. Mark’s Square, and the artist is unknown.

Visiting tip: You’ll see multiple versions of the Winged Lion throughout Venice, but the most famous is in St. Mark’s Square. Go early morning before cruise crowds arrive.

The Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni

This famous statue in Venice is located in front of the Palazzo Ducale. The statue shows Bartolomeo Colleoni, a Venetian general, on a horse. The statue was sculpted by Verocchio and completed in 1496. It is based on the statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome.

Visiting tip: This statue is in a quieter part of Venice near the Basilica di San Zanipolo and is best visited when exploring beyond the main tourist routes.

Famous Statues in the Rest of Italy

These statues aren’t in the 3 major cities I already wrote about, but are worth visiting if you are nearby.

La Madonnina

This is a famous statue located in Milan. It is a representation of the Virgin Mary, and it is located on the top of the Duomo. The statue was sculpted by Giuseppe Perego and completed in 1774. The Virgin Mary is said to protect the city as the highest point in all of Milan.

The statue is one of the most recognizable symbols of Milan.

Visiting tip: The statue itself is not accessible, but you can see it up close by visiting the Duomo rooftop terraces. Tickets are required and worth it for the views alone.

How to see All of these Statues in One Trip to Italy

Many of Italy’s most famous statues can be seen on a single trip by focusing on Rome and Florence. Rome is home to the highest concentration of iconic sculptures, while Florence holds the greatest Renaissance masterpieces. Venice and Milan can be added if you have extra time.

If you’re short on time:

• 3–4 days: Rome only

• 5–6 days: Rome + Florence

• 7–10 days: Rome, Florence, Venice (optional Milan)

The beauty of Italy is that you can find sculptures almost anywhere you go. These are just a few of the most famous statues in Italy. There are many more to discover. So get out there and start exploring!