First public statue dedicated to a woman unveiled in Milan: she is Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso

For the first time, Milan has a public statue dedicated to a woman: in fact, a sculpture depicting Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso (Milan, 1808 - 1871), an Italian noblewoman and writer who actively participated in the Risorgimento and the Five Days of Milan, was unveiled yesterday, September 15, in Piazza Belgioioso. At the outbreak of the latter, she was in Naples, but organized an army of about two hundred volunteers, leaving for the North to make her contribution. The following year, in 1849, she was in Rome during the battle in defense of the Roman Republic, and she had the task of organizing hospitals, which she solved by organizing a forerunner of the nursing system.

The Municipality of Milan had already announced in July that the first sculpture on public land in the city dedicated to a historical female figure-Margherita Hack-would be installed in 2022 to mark the centenary of her birth, and so it will be, but it was anticipated by Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso. This year marks 150 years since the latter’s passing.

“It is incredible that there was no statue in Milan dedicated to a woman before today,” said Mayor Beppe Sala, “the next one will be dedicated to Margherita Hack.” None of the 121 public statues in Milan is dedicated to a woman (except for the subjects of realistic and allegorical iconography), until the one unveiled yesterday that depicts the Milanese heroine of the Risorgimento accomplished by sculptor Giuseppe Bergomi based on iconographic documentation collected by the Brivio Sforza Foundation. The idea for the statue is due to Le Dimore del Quartetto. The project is promoted by the Brivio Sforza Foundation, with the support of the Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Milano, a contribution from the City of Milan and the patronage of the Lombardy Region.

“This day marks a great turning point for the city,” added Anna Scavuzzo, deputy mayor of Milan, “a symbolic recognition of women who have made an important contribution to Milan’s growth in history. The initiative, which celebrates a woman of culture, determination and who fought for freedom, will certainly be the first of many future actions like this and with which Milan pays tribute to female figures who have promoted values of generosity and resourcefulness making our city better.”

First public statue dedicated to a woman unveiled in Milan: she is Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso

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