The sculptor Mario Rutelli was the great-grandfather of the Italian politician Francesco Rutelli.
The monument was commissioned to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the 'Risorgimento' (Italian Unification).
The statue is officially dedicated to the 'Soldiers of Independence', specifically those who participated in the liberation of Sicily in 1860.
The bronze figure of Liberty is depicted in a neoclassical style, contrasting with the more ornate late-Liberty (Art Nouveau) style prevalent in Palermo at the time.
The Statua della Libertà in Palermo is a monument located in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, designed by sculptor Mario Rutelli and inaugurated in 1911. It commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Unification of Italy and the Expedition of the Thousand. The monument features a bronze female figure symbolizing Liberty, standing atop a stone plinth decorated with reliefs. It serves as a focal point at the intersection of Viale della Libertà and Viale Diana. The statue is a notable example of early 20th-century commemorative urban art in Sicily. It is situated at the northern end of the city's primary residential and commercial artery.
From the pedestrian island at the start of Viale Diana for a direct view of the statue with the park entrance in the background.
Visit during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense Sicilian heat.
Pair your visit with a walk into the nearby Parco della Favorita for better shade.
The area is primarily a traffic-heavy transit point; focus on viewing the details of the plinth rather than expecting a pedestrian-only plaza.
Attempting to walk across the busy traffic circle surrounding the statue, as it is a major transit artery.
