Monument to Giuseppe Verdi – Piazza San Giovanni
First version (1906): Unveiled on January 27, 1906, exactly five years after Verdi's death. At that time, Trieste was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Carrara marble statue was created by the sculptor Alessandro Laforêt.
Destruction & Symbolism: The original statue was destroyed in 1915 by pro-Austrian forces – not because of Verdi's music, but because of the inscription "VERDI," which was considered a patriotic acronym for "Vittorio Emanuele Re D'Italia." A subtle act of Italian national pride in the heart of Habsburg territory.
Re-enactment (1926): After the First World War and the incorporation of Trieste into Italy, the statue was re-erected – this time in bronze, cast from captured Austrian cannons. A triumphant statement that blends art and history.
Current condition: The statue underwent extensive restoration in 2024 – including cleaning, a protective varnish, and a layer of wax for preservation. The inscriptions were made legible again, and the monument now shines in renewed splendor.
Location: Piazza San Giovanni, behind the Church of Sant'Antonio Taumaturgo, at the end of the Grand Canal – a location that fits perfectly into a cultural and historical itinerary through Trieste.