The First King of Italy

Walking Tours of Florence

Equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II

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Most major Italian cities boast a statue of Vittorio Emanule II, the first king of Italy. In some cities the king is depicted on horseback, and such is the case in Florence.

On September 20th, 1890, a bronze equestrian statue, the work of local boy Emilio Zocchi (1835-1913), was unveiled in what was then Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (today's Piazza della Repubblica).

There it remained, in the very heart of the city, until 1932, when the city fathers decided to build a road through the square. The statue was deemed to be an obstacle and was duly relegated to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, outside the entrance to the Parco delle Cascine, where it still stands, somewhat forlorn and forgotten.

Vittorio Emanuele II (1820-1878), following his father's abdication, became king of Piedmont-Sardinia in 1849 and on March 17th, 1861, he assumed the title King of Italy. He died in Rome on January 9th, 1878. 

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Equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II

Old photograph of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (today's Piazza della Repubblica)