A commemorative monument honouring Giuseppe Mazzini stands on the slopes of Rome’s Aventine Hill, overlooking the Circus Maximus. The sculpture was created by Ettore Ferrari, a sculptor and mason who had previously executed the monument to Giordano Bruno in Campo de’ Fiori.
The erection of a Roman monument to Mazzini followed a complex political trajectory. Though recognised as a leading figure of the Italian Risorgimento, his republican convictions had obscured his legacy during the Savoy monarchy—embodying the paradox of Mazzini as both enemy and father of the nation. Proposals for the monument were presented to the Chamber of Deputies in 1887, fifteen years after his death, and again in 1890 under Prime Minister Francesco Crispi, who sought to celebrate Mazzini as a champion of national unity. Ferrari received the commission in 1902.
About Ettore Ferrari
Ettore Ferrari was an Italian sculptor and political figure active in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His monumental works commemorated key figures of Italian national history and the Risorgimento.
Details
- Creator: Ettore Ferrari
- Location: Aventine Hill, Rome
- Subject: Giuseppe Mazzini (Risorgimento leader)
- Commission date: 1902
Frequently asked questions
Who sculpted this monument?
Ettore Ferrari, an Italian sculptor and mason, created the monument. He had previously executed the monument to Giordano Bruno in Campo de’ Fiori.
Why did the monument take so long to build?
Giuseppe Mazzini’s republican convictions made his commemoration politically sensitive during the Savoy monarchy. Although proposals began in 1887, fifteen years after his death, the commission was not awarded to Ferrari until 1902.
Where is the monument located?
The monument stands on the slopes of Rome’s Aventine Hill, facing the Circus Maximus.