Is this granite column whispering tales of resilience? The Colonna del Verziere, an elegant sentinel overlooking Largo Augusto, has a captivating history. It began in 1580 with a vision of a grand monument to thank God for sparing Milan from a devastating plague.
The Colonna del Verziere was not built without trials. Demolitions, bureaucratic hurdles, and even a damaged pedestal during construction, delayed its completion for decades. Finally, in 1611, the column, crafted from Baveno granite, stood tall. However, it took another 62 years for the statue of Christ the Redeemer, designed by Francesco Maria Richini, to grace its top.
But the story doesn’t end there. Over a century later, the Colonna del Verziere narrowly escaped demolition during a citywide removal of religious columns. Then, a remarkable transformation occurred. After the Five Days of Milan uprising against Austrian rule in 1848, it was rededicated as the Colonna della Vittoria, a monument to the fallen heroes. Bronze plaques, etched with the names of 352 individuals who died fighting for their city, were added to its base, forever intertwining the Colonna del Verziere with Milan’s fight for freedom. The Colonna del Verziere stands as a testament to Milan’s unwavering spirit, a silent witness to triumph over adversity.