At one end of Il Giardino della Montagnola is this fabulous scalinata that leads to Montagnola Gardens or Park above it. Constructed in 1896 by Tito Azzolini and Attilio Muggia it also boasts beautifully sculptured battle and mystical scenes from marble by Diego Sarti. Access from Via Indipendenza was created for the new neighbourhood at that time.

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Montagnola Park Monument Photos

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About Montagnola Park Monument

At the end of Via Indipendenza is this magnificent monument known locally as the scalinata. The project to construct this unique stairway fell to Tito Azzolini and Attilio Muggia in 1896. The beautifully ornate looking lamp posts were made in the same year by G.Barbieri & Co from Castelmaggiore.

The main reason behind this project was to improve public access to Il Giardino della Montagnola, otherwise called Montagnola Gardens or Park, which is reached at the top of the stairs. At the time new streets were being built in this area and so a new access point was considered since people would have had to circumnavigate this area in order to reach the main park entrance which is at Piazza VIII Agosto.

This fabulous fountain was created by Diego Sarti who originally made it for an exhibition held in Giardini Margherita towards the south eastern perimeter of Bologna. He was also responsible for the central sculpture displaying the wife of Neptune (a nymph with an octopus arm around her waist) and the horse at her side.

The marble sculptures on either side of the fountain represent historic moments in Bologna’s past. Scenes recalling Bologna’s role in learning and the establishment of Europe’s oldest University appear on the left while on the right here illustrations of war are depicted by The Battle of Fossalta which took place in the spring of 1249. It’s significance here is underlined by the fact that it’s especially remembered for the capture of Enzio of Sardinia, son of Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen who was subsequently held prisoner in Palazzo Enzo. Another recalls the battle which took place on 8th August 1848 when the Bolognese were fighting the Austrians at Porta Galliera.

Up on the next level here are another few scenes again recalling battles in Bologna. Recent vandalism acts have unfortunately rob them of their true beauty as heads have been knocked off and the marble scratched and chipped away in some places. Nevertheless, this monument is still highly regarded especially when the midday sun shines upon it and it shows off a gem-like reflection.

At the top is one entrance to the gardens or park area of Montagnola while swinging back round towards the road is a view over Via Indipendenza and the neighbouring streets.

References

Tiziano Costa – Marco Poli, Conoscere Bologna, Bologna 2005.