Piazza dei Martiri, Naples

Piazza dei Martiri in Naples.

Piazza dei Martiri (in Italian: Martyrs' Square) is a monument square in Naples, Italy, located one block north of the eastern end of the large seaside park known as the Villa Comunale. The square was originally dedicated to Santa Maria a Cappella, but took on patriotic significance when Italy was united in 1861.

Monument to the Martyrs

The monument in the center of this square was built around a column already standing by the Bourbon period, when the square was called the piazza della Pace. The column was repurposed, and atop now stands a bronze statue depicting the Virtue of the Martyrs, designed by Emanuele Caggiano . Four lions stand at the corners of the square base, each represent Neapolitan patriots who died during specific anti-Bourbon revolutions[1]

Behind this last lion is a tablet that states:[4]

To the glorious memory of the Neapolitan citizens who
died in the struggles or scaffold
revindicated for the people with solemn and eternal covenant the freedom to proclaim
the plebiscite of October 21, 1860
The City Hall Consecrates
Lions at base of monument
To fallen in 1799 
To fallen in 1820 
To fallen in 1848 
To fallen in 1860 by Tommaso Solari 

References

  1. ↑ Rambles in Naples: An Archaeological and Historical Guide to the Museums, by S. Russell Forbes, page 32.
  2. ↑ Lion dying sculpted by Antonio Busciolano.
  3. ↑ Lion pierced by sword sculpted by Stanislao Lista.
  4. ↑
    Alla gloriosa memoria dei cittadini napoletani che
    caduti nelle pugne o sul patibolo
    rivendicarono al popolo la libertà di proclamare con patto solenne ed eterno
    il plebiscito del XXI ottobre MDCCCLX
    Il Municipio Consacra

Coordinates: 40°50′03″N 14°14′30″E / 40.8342°N 14.2418°E