Piazza Manzoni

A few yards from Piazza Garibaldi lies Piazza Manzoni, with the monument dedicated to the author, the symbol of the city. Alessandro Manzoni’s statue portrays the writer seated in a moment of reflection, with the manuscript of The Betrothed on his knees. 

The sculptor Francesco Confalonieri of Milan was commissioned to create the bronze statue, which is 2.8 metres tall. The sculpture stands on a Baveno red granite base, four and a half metres in height; at the sides, three magnificent high reliefs by the sculptor can be admired that depict certain scenes from the novel: in the one towards Pescarenico, the abduction of Lucia is portrayed (the offence): in the direction of Via Roma, the death of Don Rodrigo at the Lazzaretto is shown (the atonement); finally, towards Viale della Costituzione, the scene of the marriage of the two lovers (the triumph of innocence) is depicted. On the side facing Monte Resegone, the coats of arms of Italy and Lecco are displayed. 

The monument was inaugurated in 1891 with a speech by Gaetano Negri. The inauguration ceremony was very special and unforgettable, with illuminations and fireworks on the lakeside. Giosuè Carducci also took part and, on that occasion, gave his famous “Lecco speech” in the Croce di Malta hotel.

The monument is still today in its spectacular and original location, at the centre of Piazza Manzoni with Monte Resegone in the background.