Pasquino

Pasquino is the most famous "talking statue" of Rome. It was found in 1501 during the excavations for the restructuring of the Orsini Palace (now Braschi Palace), at the point of Piazza di Parione (today Pasquino Square) in which it still stands today. Withholding ornament of the Stadium of Domitian, the statue is a work in Hellenistic style of the third century BC and represents a warrior greek (or two warriors who hold up). It's likely that this is the fragment of a sculpture group of Menelaus supporting dying Patroclus. The first restoration took care by Bramante, on behalf of Cardinal Oliviero Carafa. Soon spread the custom of hanging overnight in the neck of the statue sheets containing satire in verse, the so-called "pasquinate" against most important public figures: the sheets were removed daily from the guards, and Pasquino became a source of concern for the powerful, first of all the popes. The name's origin is shrouded in legend: for some, Pasquino was a character of the neighborhood known for his satirical verses; for others, it would have been a teacher of Latin grammar. Followed unsuccessful attempts to remove the statue and identify the author of "pasquinate", Pasquino was actually ascended to the symbol of the Roman people. After a long silence, the verses of Pasquino returned occasionally in special events, such as Hitler's visit to Rome. Heavily damaged by smog and neglect, the statue of Pasquino was restored at the end of 2009. Pasquino always has inspired the world of culture: the eponymous satirical magazine published in Turin from 1856 to 1930, built on this statue; in the film, one of the many Pasquino was played by Nino Manfredi in the movie "In the Year of the God".