Was Francesco Nullo a hero or a misguided idealist? Here stands the Francesco Nullo Bust. It commemorates a man who fought for both Italy and Poland.
The Francesco Nullo Bust sits at Home Army Miłosz Battalion Square. This location is near Frascati and Nulla Streets. The monument honors Francesco Nullo. He was a 19th-century military officer. Nullo fought for Italian unification. He also commanded the Garibaldi Legion. These Italian volunteers fought for Polish insurgents. This was during the January Uprising.
Gianni Remuzzi designed the Francesco Nullo Bust. It was unveiled on February 26 1939. The city of Bergamo in Italy gifted it to Warsaw. Bergamo was Nullo’s hometown. Galeazzo Ciano unveiled it. He was the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs. A delegation from Bergamo attended the ceremony.
The Francesco Nullo Bust suffered minor damage during World War II. After renovations, it reappeared in 1949. The Francesco Nullo Bust has a total height of 2.5 meters. It features a bronze bust of Nullo. He sports a large beard and mustache. His right hand holds his military coat over his shoulder.
The bust rests on a gray and red granite pedestal. Nullo’s name is inscribed on the front in capital letters. A plaque on the back bears an inscription. It states Nullo was born in Bergamo on March 11 1826. He was a Garibaldian and a fighter for Italian independence. He fought for Poland’s freedom in the January Uprising. Nullo died in battle on May 5 1863.
The monument’s unveiling symbolized cordial relations between Poland and Italy. General Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski advocated for closer ties. He was the Polish ambassador to Rome. Count Galeazzo Ciano supported this. He was Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ciano’s visit to Poland included the unveiling. Mayor Carillo Pesenta Pigna represented Bergamo’s residents. They funded the pedestal.
The Francesco Nullo Bust serves as a place of remembrance. It helps maintain friendly relations between Poland and Italy. The monument reminds us of the shared history. Italians answered Garibaldi’s call to aid Poland. They wanted to repay Poles who fought for Italy’s unification.
Occasional ceremonies take place at the Francesco Nullo Bust. Officials from Poland and Italy attend. In 2018, they commemorated Nullo’s 192nd birthday. Representatives from Warsaw and the Italian Ambassador laid wreaths.
So, as you stand before the Francesco Nullo Bust. Remember the Italian colonel. He stands as a symbol. A symbol of courage and solidarity between nations. His legacy lives on in this quiet corner of Warsaw. A testament to shared ideals and enduring friendship.