For generations, the Italian-American community has been a powerful presence in many American cities, including New York City. With more than two million Italian-Americans living in the metropolitan area, the Italian immigrant population has left an indelible and inspirational mark on the history of this great city.
To honor their ambitions and achievements, and to add a bit of Italian flavor to the landscape of the “Big Apple”, a number of monuments, statues and plazas have been erected throughout New York City to celebrate the courage and achievements of Italian heroes. Here we take a look at some of the most representative statues and monuments dedicated to Italian heroes in New York.
Statue of Christopher Columbus
The Statue of Christopher Columbus is perhaps the most iconic of all representations of Italian heroes in New York City. Installed in front of the Columbus Circle in Manhattan, it has been seen as a reflection of the spirit and ambition of the American people since being installed in 1892.
Designed by Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo, the 15-meter high bronze statue stands atop an eagle-topped bronze base atop a granite plinth.
It is a raised arm of Columbus himself in the symbolic act of discovering the New World – a powerful symbol of Italian immigrants’ contribution to the city of New York.
Statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi
Another iconic Italian-American monument in New York is the Statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Located near Columbus Circle, the 16-foot-tall bronze statue on a granite base was installed in 1888 by Italian-American immigrants.
The statue of Garibaldi, a leading figure in Italian unification, is also considered an important symbol of the spirit and aspirations of the Italian-American immigrants in New York City.
Garibaldi stands atop a white marble pedestal, his right hand extended pointing towards the harbor as if to suggest that even if his body were gone, his spirit would always remain with the city.
Statue of Bartolommeo Colleoni
The Bartolommeo Colleoni statue, commonly referred to as simply ‘The Colleoni Statue’ is a bronze sculpture created by the Italian sculptor Andrea del Verrocchio in 1483. Originally situated in Venice, the statue is now on display in New York’s Central Park as a part of the Metropolitan Museum’s permanent collection.
The large-scale figure, modeled after the Renaissance condottiero, is thought to symbolize the relationship between the United States and Italy at the time of its installation in Central Park in 1872. It stands as a reminder of how many Italian-Americans have shaped and enriched the United States.
Potentate of Garibaldi and Brownson Monument
This renowned granite and bronze monument, located in New York’s Washington Square Park, is a tribute to two prominent Italian-American statesmen, Potentate of Garibaldi and Brownson.
Designed by architect Adolfo A. Ciolini and sculptor Eugenio Macchi in 1924, the monument stands as a reminder of the sacrifice and dedication of these two men, who dedicated their lives to promoting and protecting the rights of all people.
The monument consists of a domed pavilion, with a bronze bas-relief of the two statesmen set on its frontal panel. The monument also contains eight bronze plaques of historic scenes, through which the legacy of the two heroes is celebrated and remembered for generations to come.
The Statue of Columbus in Battery Park
The Statue of Columbus stands as one of the most impressive monuments dedicated to the city of New York and its Italian-American history.
The huge bronze statue stands tall in New York’s Battery Park, near the tip of Manhattan, looking out from Lady Liberty to the Statue of Liberty. It was erected in 1894 by Italian-American immigrants to honor Christopher Columbus and commemorate his landing in America.
The impressive bronze statue was designed by Italian sculptorLibero Andreotti, and it captures Columbus’s vision of a new world with the exploration of foreign lands and the creation of a new nation.
John Cardinal O’Connor Statue
Located in the heart of Manhattan, in the shadow of Saint Patrick Cathedral, the John Cardinal O’Connor statue is a tribute to one of the most influential and respected Catholic prelates of modern times.
The bronze statue, placed atop a granite and marble pedestal, was sculpted in 2006 by Eric Fischl and commissioned by Archbishop of New York Timothy M. Dolan to honor the legacy of Cardinal O’Connor. The sculpture celebrates all that O’Connor, who was of Irish and Italian descent, achieved during his fourteen years at the helm of the Archdiocese.
Statue of St. Francis of Assisi
The Statue of St. Francis of Assisi erected in Tuscan Square, the Italian-American neighborhood in Queens, honors the famous Italian saint who is considered to be the founder of the Franciscan Order.
Depicted in a contemplative state, the sculpture was designed by Marino di Teana between 1934 and 1935. The statue symbolizes the spiritual and cultural heritage of Italian-Americans, as well as their devotion to faith and public service.
Today, statues and monuments dedicated to Italian heroes still dot the landscape of New York City, presenting a continuing reminder of the influence of Italians throughout the centuries. These monuments continue to tell the history of Italian immigration and celebrate the courage and achievements of the Italian community in New York.
From the Statue of Christopher Columbus to the Statue of St. Francis of Assisi, these statues serve as a shining example of how the Italian-American community has shaped and enriched the city of New York. In this way, themonuments serve as timeless reminders of the values of bravery and perseverance that are still very much alive in the hearts and minds of Italian-Americans.
