Right before us rises the Statua di San Carlo Borromeo. But did you know its story intertwines with that of the Statue of Liberty? This statue is a tribute to San Carlo Borromeo. He was Archbishop of Milan and a significant figure in the Catholic Church’s reforms during the 16th century.
San Carlo was born in Arona in 1538. He died in Milan in 1584. He was known for his height which was around 1.8 meters. The average height at the time was only 1.6 meters. His imposing stature and influential role led to the creation of this colossal statue after his death and canonization.
The Statua di San Carlo Borromeo is also known as the “Sancarlone”. It dominates the landscape near Lago Maggiore. The statue stands on a hill near Arona. It reaches a height of almost 35 meters. You can see it from the lake. It’s partially hidden by trees.
Construction spanned 74 years from 1624 to 1698. Giovanni Battista Crespi designed it. Sculptors Siro Zanella and Bernardo Falconi shaped the copper sheets. They made the statue slightly larger than planned.
The statue has an inner structure of stone bricks and iron. The exterior is covered with hammered copper sheets. San Carlo is depicted in his vestments blessing the town. He holds a book in his left arm.
Interestingly you can climb inside the Statua di San Carlo Borromeo. Spiral staircases lead to a balcony. From there steep stairs take you to the top. You can look out through openings in the statue’s head.
Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi the designer of the Statue of Liberty visited Arona. He studied the Statua di San Carlo Borromeo’s structure. He drew inspiration from it for his own iconic creation. A plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty acknowledges this connection.
For about two centuries the Statua di San Carlo Borromeo was among the tallest statues in the world. The Statue of Liberty surpassed it in 1886. Yet the Sancarlone remains a testament to San Carlo’s legacy. It is a symbol of artistic ingenuity. It is a link between Milan and one of the world’s most famous monuments. The Statua di San Carlo Borromeo embodies faith art and history.