Piazza dei Martiri, Naples

Piazza dei Martiri (in Italian: Martyrs' Square) is a monument-containing square in Naples, Italy, located at the junction of Via Domenico Morelli and Santa Caterina, 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.

Piazza dei Martiri in Naples.

Monument to the Martyrs

The monument in the center of this square was built around a column already standing during the Bourbon rule, 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]

  • Lion dying - to fallen defending the short lived Parthenopean Republic in 1799.[2]
  • Lion pierced by a sword- to fallen during Carbonari revolution of 1820.[3]
  • Lion lying down - to fallen during revolution of 1848, with 1848 statutes under paw.
  • Lion striding on foot - to fallen during successful Garibaldini Revolt of 1860.[4]

Behind this last lion is a tablet that states:[5]

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 1799
  • To fallen in 1820
    To fallen in 1820
  • To fallen in 1848
    To fallen in 1848
  • To fallen in 1860
    To fallen in 1860

References
  1. Rambles in Naples: An Archaeological and Historical Guide to the Museums, by S. Russell Forbes, page 32.
  2. Lion dying was sculpted by Antonio Busciolano.
  3. Lion pierced by sword was sculpted by Stanislao Lista.
  4. Lion Striding on foot was sculpted by Tommaso Solari.
  5. 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

40.8342°N 14.2418°E / 40.8342; 14.2418

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