Famous Statues in Italy

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 Rome

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

Famous Statues in Florence

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

Famous Statues in Venice

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.

 

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.

Famous Statues in the Rest of Italy

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.

 

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!