La Patria Vincitrice

The equestrian monument, representing the Patria Vincitrice, is a work in bronze placed at the top of a high local sandstone pedestal, in a scenic position in front of the Porta S. Pietro delle Mura Urbane, Lucca. The high reliefs on the base depict the Fallen for the Fatherland to the east and a gladiator defending himself to the west.

Work of the Lucchese sculptor Alfredo Angeloni and realized by the artistic foundry F.lli Michelacci of Pistoia, it was inaugurated in 1930 in the presence of Vittorio Emanuele III.

The monument was placed as part of the green layout works of the entire square then called Umberto I °, today Piazzale Risorgimento.

In July 2008, a collapse of the flag bearer led to the flag being removed as a precautionary measure and to enclose the area surrounding the monument.

The stone surface is widely covered with organic material and biodeteriogenic patinas; above all in the undercuts chromatic alterations are localized, due to sulphate patinas; moreover the rain runoff has conveyed copper oxides and ferrous leaks into the stone. Finally the stuccos and the building mortars are loose and some stones at the bottom are loose.

In the bronze group there are fractures especially on the legs, but also on the right foot of the rider and where the rod rests on the base, also in bronze. In addition, there are numerous spaced iron nails that have not been removed, which have increased in volume and created a dense web of micro-cracks.

From the videoendoscopy analysis the equestrian statue does not have metal supporting structures inside it; the only recognizable elements, such as plates and bolts, can be identified along the walls of the casing.