Ravenna’s Tribute to the Risorgimento

A vibrant cultural landmark honors Anita Garibaldi and all the locals who died during the Italian struggle for independence.

The Monument to the Risorgimento Heroes in Ravenna, Italy [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick]

The Risorgimento (Resurgence or Rising Again), otherwise known as The Wars of Italian Unification, were a series of political and social conflicts that were fought between 1848 and 1870. These revolutionary conflicts essentially took place in three phases spanning multiple decades and resulted in the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy.

Traveling in cities across Italy makes you familiar with three names in particular. The three were palpably leading figures in the Risorgimento, a movement that contributed significantly towards Italian unification. As such, almost every major Italian city has made an effort to honor the country’s founding fathers.

In almost every regional capital of the country, there are either monuments or prominent streets and public squares dedicated to both Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (1810–1861), and Victor Emmanuel II (1820–1878). The former was a prominent politician, while the latter became the first king of an independent and united Italy.

Rounding up the triumvirate is, of course, Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1892), the legendary Italian revolutionary and nationalist. The charismatic Garibaldi had a considerably higher international profile and was known for his pivotal roles on multiple fronts. However, not as much is known about Anita Garibaldi (1821–1849), his wife and comrade-in-arms.

The Brazil-born, naturalized Italian was a woman of heroic character who also had a crucial role to play in both her native Brazil and her adopted country. Yet her story is seldom told, or rather is conveniently sidelined. While there is a monument dedicated to her in Rome, I came across a square named after her in the city of Ravenna (in Emilia-Romagna) that consisted of an ensemble that I found to be more interesting.

15 years in the making

The statue at Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick]

Considering memorials related to Garibaldi are ubiquitous across the peninsula, of course, I came across one in Ravenna as well (photograph above). The statue, located at Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi (or Giuseppe Garibaldi Square), is on expected lines. Not surprisingly, it was not the first thing that captured my attention.

On the contrary, I was impressed by Piazza Anita Garibaldi (or Anita Garibaldi Square). Constructed in 1879, along the avenue leading to the railway station, this square replaced the old buildings in the neighborhood. More importantly, this square is home to an elaborate ensemble that is also dedicated to Garibaldi’s companion.

While a commission was established in Ravenna in 1867, with the purpose of honoring the memory of the dead fighters for independence, it was not until 1882 that this commission provided the funds for the creation of the monument. After 15 years in the making, a related contest was announced. There were seven artists who submitted their proposals.

The monument, as viewed from the other side [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick]

Cesare Zocchi (1851–1922), a sculptor from Florence, was entrusted with the responsibility of creating the monument. What you get to see in the multiple photographs attached to this narrative is referred to as Monumento ai Caduti per l’Indipendenza. This impressive artwork was completed in 1886. Inaugurated on September 10th, 1888, in the presence of King Umberto I (1844–1900), it is partly dedicated to Anita Garibaldi.

Also known as the Monument to the Risorgimento Heroes, it is also dedicated to all the citizens of Ravenna who died during the Italian struggle for independence. As such, the monument’s narrative reflects Italy’s national aspirations in the 19th century on the one hand and celebrates the courage and sacrifice of one of the most iconic heroines on the other.

Furthermore, the plinth is highlighted by a female figure. In the guise of the goddess Athena, it actually symbolizes the city of Ravenna. Dressed in medieval armor, she is putting a laurel wreath on the head of the fallen soldier with her right hand while holding a shield with the coat of arms of Ravenna in her left hand.

Twin depictions of Anita Garibaldi

The bronze bas-relief depicting Anita Garibaldi riding a horse [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick]

The Monument to the Risorgimento Heroes is made entirely of white marble. At the base of the monument is a square pedestal. There are three steps leading up to the pedestal, on both sides of which bronze laurel and palm branches can be seen. More importantly, on two other sides of the pedestal, the monument has bronze bas-reliefs.

These are, in fact, twin depictions of Anita Garibaldi. The first depicts her riding a horse and attempting to cross a river, and the second shows her dying in the arms of her husband. While Anita was known as a skilled horsewoman, there is a reason why these scenes have been illustrated. It palpably pertains to her connection with Ravenna.

Born Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva in Laguna (Santa Catarina) in what was a part of the Kingdom of Brazil, a young Anita fought alongside Giuseppe, first in Brazil and subsequently in Italy. It is imperative to mention that Giuseppe, having escaped execution in Piedmont in his native Italy, fled Europe in 1836 and spent years fighting on behalf of the separatists in Brazil and Uruguay.

The bronze bas-relief depicting a dying Anita Garibaldi [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick]

It was during Giuseppe’s sojourn in South America that he was joined by Anita in 1839. She became part of the action both in her native Brazil and subsequently in Uruguay. They got married three years later, in Montevideo (Uruguay). The Garibaldi family consisted of four children, a couple of whom were also actively involved in the Risorgimento.

In 1848, during the First Italian War of Independence, Anita accompanied Garibaldi and fought against the forces of the Austrian Empire. As Garibaldi’s forces were forced to retreat, a pregnant Anita became sick from malaria. On August 4th, 1848, she died in the arms of her husband at the Guicciolo farm in Mandriole, north of Ravenna, a few weeks shy of what would have been her 28th birthday.

The four lions

A combination of photographs symbolize the crucial years (1831 & 1838) of the Risorgimento [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick]

As is visible in the photographs, other than what has been mentioned above, the presence of four lions is also conspicuous in the ensemble at Piazza Anita Garibaldi. In fact, the quartet makes the monument even more impressive. Seated on the steps at each corner, they palpably make for a symbolic representation.

These four lions depicted in the monument symbolize the crucial years of the Risorgimento: 1831, 1848, 1859, and 1870. When opened to the public in 1888, the Monument to the Risorgimento Heroes was controversial, with many not even attending the inauguration. On the other hand, the newspapers came up with flattering reviews of the landmark, with Il Secolo calling it one of the most beautiful monuments in all of Italy.

Like most other historic structures around Italy, both the square and the monument were severely damaged during the bombings carried out during the Second World War (1939–1945). After the end of the war, though, they were restored to their original condition. Fortunately, unlike some other historic monuments in Italy, the ensemble has managed to retain its allure.

A combination of photographs symbolize the crucial years (1859 & 1870) of the Risorgimento [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick]

Earlier this month (2nd June), *Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day), or the Italian National Day, was celebrated. A few weeks ago, on 25 April, there were commemoration events related to [Festa della Liberazione](https://www.idealista.it/en/news/lifestyle-in-italy/2026/04/16/231062-liberation-day-in-italy-2026-history-meaning-and-how-locals-celebrate) (Liberation Day). It is Anniversario dell’Unità d’Italia* (or the Anniversary of the Unification of Italy), on March 17, that marks the birth of the modern nation-state of Italy, though.

In fact, 2026 marked 165 years since the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. While the Risorgimento carried on in the years that followed, and the complete unification of Italy took place much later, 1861 was indeed a watershed year in the history of Italy. It is ensembles like the Monument to the Risorgimento Heroes in Ravenna that not only celebrate Italian unity but also honor the relatively lesser-known who contributed to it.