“Thirteen brave souls, executed without trial” is what the Obelisco alle Tredici Vittime del 14 Aprile 1860 commemorates. This monument honors thirteen prisoners. They were killed for conspiring against the Bourbon monarchy. We’re standing in Piazza delle XIII Vittime. It is at the intersection of Via Cavour and Via Francesco Crispi.
The Obelisco alle Tredici Vittime del 14 Aprile 1860 marks a dark chapter. It recalls the Gancia Revolt. The revolt was named after the Santa Maria della Gancia church and convent. Conspirators hid with weapons in the convent. But Michele da Sant’Antonino, a friar, betrayed them to the police. Salvatore Maniscalco stormed the convent. Nearly twenty rebels died. Thirteen were captured. Two escaped through a small hole in the wall. It’s still marked on Via Allora. Neighborhood prostitutes distracted Bourbon soldiers allowing the escape.
The thirteen were imprisoned at Castellamare castle. Authorities feared more revolts and Garibaldi’s invasion. They decided to execute the prisoners publicly without a trial. The thirteen were blindfolded and taken to Porta San Giorgio. They were forced to kneel. Two volleys killed twelve. Sebastiano Camarrone, a butcher, survived. He was killed by a third volley. They buried the bodies in an unmarked grave. Garibaldi liberated Palermo a month later.
Salvatore Valenti designed the Obelisco alle Tredici Vittime del 14 Aprile 1860. It was erected in 1883. A metal star sits atop the obelisk. The names of the victims are engraved at the base. They include Michelangelo Barone and Sebastiano Camarrone. Also listed are Nicolò Di Lorenzo and Giuseppe Teresi.
The monument’s location has shifted. Originally, it stood at the center of a rotonda. It was moved to make way for a monument to the fallen in the battle against the Mafia. Even in its original spot, its small size seemed lost. The monument was surrounded by vastness and heavy traffic.
In 2023, the memorial plaque was restored. The Inner Wheel Club of Palermo Centro and the City of Palermo collaborated. The plaque commemorates the fallen heroes of the Risorgimento. It serves as a reminder. It honors those who fought for freedom. They defied the Bourbon regime.
The Obelisco alle Tredici Vittime del 14 Aprile 1860 stands as a symbol. It represents sacrifice. It embodies the spirit of those who fought for a free and united Italy. Though somewhat hidden today, it continues to tell its story.