Monument to Edmondo De Amicis – a work that involved the children of Italy

History and description

Conceived in 1923 by Giovanni Bronda, a school director who wished to honor the writer from Oneglia, the Monument to Edmondo De Amicis is a bronze structure with granite elements. It features a central statue representing the author, four smaller side scenes recalling themes from his famous book “Cuore”—such as love for the homeland and dedication to study—and an inscription dedicated to the children of Italy. The monument was financed through a national subscription among elementary school pupils, each contributing 10 cents, and was inaugurated on the 25th anniversary of De Amicis’ death, placed in Piazza della Vittoria, a central point of the city.

Curiosities

At the time of the inauguration, in addition to collecting the signatures of children in 137 volumes, a book was published entitled “Edmondo De Amicis. Storia del monumento offerto ai bimbi d’Italia alla città di Imperia”. This volume included biographical notes on the author, selected passages from his works, and curiosities about the monument itself.

Access

Located in a public space, the monument is freely accessible at any time of day.

How to reach it

Situated in a central area of the city, the monument is easily reachable by car (considering the limited traffic zones and nearby parking), by bus (lines 12 or 22), or by train to Imperia railway station followed by a short bus ride.

The Monument to Edmondo De Amicis is a meaningful stop, not only for its artistic and cultural value but also for its unique history that involved children from all over Italy.

Photo credits: Jk4u59 (Wikipedia) - Licensed by public domain