Monumento dei Quattro Mori
Italy
It is the symbol of the city foundation and celebrates the victory of the Medici against the pirates
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Monumento dei Quattro Mori, the undisputed symbol of Livorno and one of the most striking examples of late-Renaissance and Baroque sculpture in Italy. As you stand here at the edge of the historic port, you are…
Listen in the app2Ferdinando I de' Medici — The Marble Duke
The upper portion of the monument features a larger-than-life marble statue of Ferdinando I de' Medici, dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Order of Saint Stephen. This order of knights was founded by his father, Cosimo I,…
Listen in the app3The Four Moors — A Masterpiece of Bronze
While the Duke is the nominal subject, it is the four bronze figures at the base that give the monument its fame. These figures, representing four stages of life, were created by Pietro Tacca, a student of the great Giambologna,…
Listen in the app4The Sculptor Pietro Tacca
Pietro Tacca's contribution to this monument cannot be overstated. As the court sculptor to the Medici, he was tasked with completing the work that Giovanni Bandini had started. …
Listen in the app5Maritime Victory and the Order of Saint Stephen
To understand the 'Quattro Mori,' one must understand the military context of 16th-century Tuscany. The Mediterranean was a battlefield, with the Christian powers of Europe constantly clashing with the Ottoman Empire and the…
Listen in the app6Restoration and Modern Perspective
In recent decades, the 'Quattro Mori' has undergone several major restorations to protect it from the corrosive effects of the salt air and urban pollution. These projects have revealed new details about Tacca's casting process…
Listen in the app7The Harbor and the Port Entrance
Take a moment to look away from the monument and out toward the harbor entrance. This is the 'Darsena Medicea,' the historic inner harbor of Livorno. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our time at the Monumento dei Quattro Mori, take one last look at the dynamic interplay between the marble Duke and his bronze captives. This monument is a perfect distillation of Livorno's history: bold,…
Listen in the app
What is Monumento dei Quattro Mori?
Monumento dei Quattro Mori is a place in Italy with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Italy |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 43.5493, 10.3050 |
| Last updated |
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