The Appennine Colossus

[demmiblue]

Measuring about 35 feet tall, it’s arguably the most spectacular feature of the gardens of Villa Medici at Pratolino, now part of Villa Demidoff, located about 7 miles north of Florence, Italy. A personification of the Apennine mountain ranges, it’s sculpted as though on that minimal margin between landscape and man, its smooth skin emerging out of the rough terrain or metamorphosing back into a mountain. He even has stalactites for a shaggy beard.

This colossal sculpture recalls the figure of Atlas in Virgil’s Aeneid, and also the architect Dinocrates’ proposal to shape Mount Athos into a man in honor of Alexander the Great.

With seemingly all the might of his hand, he squeezes the head of a monstrous beast, which spills a cascade of water out of its hell-mouth and into a fish pond.

Of course, the Appennino isn’t just a sculpture. He’s also a building.

Inside you will find a network of grottoes, their walls studded with shells, corals, pearls and crystals, and painted with frescoes of muscled men mining precious ores. In this way, Appennino is both mountains and abysses. You enter not only the belly of a garden giant but also down into the belly of the earth. There were also two working fountains, one of which portrayed Thetis, and located in his head is a chamber for a small orchestra.


The Appennino in 1911.




https://unusualplaces.org/the-appennine-colossus/

[SCantiGOP]

1. Could you imagine

being lost in the woods, coming around a corner and seeing that ahead of you?
Thanks for the post.

[usaf-vet]

4. Must have been carved by aliens from another universe. Done when they built the pyramids.

Just a guess?

[Johnyawl]

7. Designed by Giambologna and erected in 1580

Wiki says it was erected by Giambologna, but I imagine there were a lot of craftsmen helping with the construction.

Giambologna was a Flemish sculptor also known as Jean de Boulogne.

[usaf-vet]

8. Unbelievable sculpture. Any indication how long it took to complete?

Are you sure no aliens helped?

[Johnyawl]

12. I couldn't find any reference to how long it took.

I think the guy who designed it was an alien. He was originally from Flanders.

[usaf-vet]

13. Close enough Flanders works. My hypothesis is believable.

[procon]

2. What a spectacular sight.

There's so much to take in... Every place I look I see something intriguing from his wonderfully craggy face to the beast he's caught, and I'm curious to know more. Thanks for showing me something new and marvelous.

[Martin Eden]

3. Awesome!

Thanks for sharing.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. Very cool! Thanks demmiblue!

Kicked and recommended.

[kimbutgar]

6. Wow I was in Florence a few years back I wish I knew about this!

Now if I go back I will check out.

Great website. Going on cruise next month to Europe and I found a place in the Canary Islands from that website I am going to visit.

[dhill926]

9. well, thanks for posting...

gonna be In Florence in about a month...will have to check this out. Fascinating...

[proud patriot]

10. Awesome

thanks for sharing

[yonder]

11. Absolutely impressive! I've never seen this before.

A very good example of the beauty humanity is capable of, juxtaposed with the ugliness that lately seems to prevail.

This is a fine post and thanks.

[smirkymonkey]

14. I have seen photos of this so many times, but never knew what it was called or

anything about it. Thanks for the background! Fascinating!