Monumento Dei Quattro Mori (Monument of the Four Moors), Livorno
There was a sculptural fad in Italy in the 17th century that featured figures of prisoners and slaves, especially African slaves. The Four Moors statues in Livorno appear trendy that way. In 1617 Cosimo II commissioned Mannerist and Baroque sculptor Pietro Tacca to create a monument to Cosimo's father, Ferdinando I.
These four statues were meant to celebrate Roman aristocrat and general Marcantonio Colonna's role in the defeat of the Ottoman fleet at Lepanto in 1571. The joke was on Marcantonio. While he was sinking the Ottoman navy, the Ottoman army was sacking Cyprus.
Dressed as a Knight of San Stefano, Ferdinando stands on a high square pedestal in Micheli Square. A prisoner is chained at each corner of the base. One of them is African, perhaps a slave.
The Four Moors feature the four corners of the world. They also seem to tell the Medici's involvement in the slave trades in West Africa in the 17th century. Fernando II, the grandson of Fernando I, oversaw the monument's completion in 1626.
These four statues were meant to celebrate Roman aristocrat and general Marcantonio Colonna's role in the defeat of the Ottoman fleet at Lepanto in 1571. The joke was on Marcantonio. While he was sinking the Ottoman navy, the Ottoman army was sacking Cyprus.
Dressed as a Knight of San Stefano, Ferdinando stands on a high square pedestal in Micheli Square. A prisoner is chained at each corner of the base. One of them is African, perhaps a slave.
The Four Moors feature the four corners of the world. They also seem to tell the Medici's involvement in the slave trades in West Africa in the 17th century. Fernando II, the grandson of Fernando I, oversaw the monument's completion in 1626.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Livorno. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Monumento Dei Quattro Mori (Monument of the Four Moors) on Map
Sight Name: Monumento Dei Quattro Mori (Monument of the Four Moors)
Sight Location: Livorno, Italy (See walking tours in Livorno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Livorno, Italy (See walking tours in Livorno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Livorno, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Livorno
Creating your own self-guided walk in Livorno is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Livorno Introduction Walking Tour
In the early 19th century, Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first person born in the United States to be canonized a saint, had a spiritual epiphany while visiting Livorno. The city has had similar effects on visitors and immigrants. Under Medici rule, people of every ethnicity and calling would come to Livorno to find prosperity and tolerance.
There have been settlements in the Livorno area since... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
There have been settlements in the Livorno area since... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Livorno Seafront Walk
When the weather permits and you fancy a walk, whilst in Livorno, taking a stroll along the local seafront is a good idea. The curvy walkway, running along the coast, south of the city, is dotted with numerous points of interest. The first of them, marking the outset of the long stretch of intriguing sights further ahead, is the former Orlando shipyard.
Practically next door to it is the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Practically next door to it is the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles