A monumental funerary structure designed by sculptor Ercole Drei, the Monument to Michele Bianchi was erected in Belmonte Calabro, province of Cosenza, during the 1930s. The work consists of a tall travertine-clad column topped by a distinctive four-armed iron cross, positioned on a hillside and visible from all directions.
The column’s design draws inspiration from Trajan’s Column, with a spiral staircase running through its interior shaft, ascending to an upper balcony where the cross is mounted. Originally illuminated, the cross functioned as a beacon. Extensive relief friezes encircle the substantial base, depicting significant moments from the subject’s life. A funerary chamber was constructed within the base and furnished with bronze ornaments and ceremonial flags, though many of these items were subsequently removed; portions have since been recovered and are preserved in the municipal basement of Belmonte Calabro. A dense pine grove surrounds the monument.
About Ercole Drei
Ercole Drei was an Italian sculptor active in the early twentieth century, working across monumental and figurative commissions during the interwar period.
Details
- Creator: Ercole Drei
- Year: 1932
- Location: Belmonte Calabro, province of Cosenza, Calabria
- Material: Travertine column with iron cross
- Type: Monumental funerary structure
- Features: Spiral staircase, relief friezes, funerary chamber
Frequently asked questions
Who designed this monument?
The monument was designed by sculptor Ercole Drei and erected in the 1930s.
What materials were used?
The column is clad in travertine and topped with a four-armed iron cross. The interior contains a funerary chamber with a spiral staircase.
Where is it located?
The monument stands on a hillside in Belmonte Calabro, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, and is surrounded by a pine grove.