Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso is the first woman to be portrayed in a statue in Milan. A tribute to one of the heroines of the Milanese Risorgimento, very influential at the time with her work as a journalist and writer and now immortalized with the work located in piazza Belgioioso. The statue was unveiled to the public in a ceremony on Wednesday 15 September.
A historical statue
The statue dedicated to Christina of Belgiojoso it is a historical work, as it is the first dedicated to a woman in the city of Milan. Of the 121 works that stand in the Lombard capital, none of them depicted a woman, at least until recently. These are the words of the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, during the ceremony: "It is incredible that before today there was no statue in Milan dedicated to a woman, the next it will be dedicated to Margherita Hack".
The statue is located in square Beljoyful, in the historic center, and was created by the sculptor Giuseppe Bergomi, who made use of the documents collected by the Brivio Sforza Foundation, which promoted the project with the support of the Cooperative Credit Bank of Milan.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, the Deputy Mayor of Milan, Anna Scavuzzo, also expressed her thoughts on the creation of the statue: "This day marks a great turning point for the city, a symbolic recognition to the women who have made an important contribution to the growth of Milan throughout history. It will certainly be the first of many future actions like this and with which Milan pays tribute to the female figures who have promoted values of generosity and resourcefulness, making our city better ".
A historical statue. A monument that opens the way to a whole other series of works with which Milan will pay homage to women. Obviously personalities who have written the history of the city.
Who was Christina of Belgiojoso
Born in Milan in 1808, Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso was a noblewoman who actively participated in the events of the Risorgimento. Patriot, journalist and writer, she was the editor of several revolutionary newspapers, which gave a boost to the ideals of the Risorgimento.
Not much is known about his childhood. More certain news comes from the years of her marriage, which took place when Cristina was just 16, with Prince Emilio Barbiano di Belgiojoso. It was not a happy union. The prince had a reputation as an irrepressible libertine, while Cristina soon began to show signs of epilepsy that would plague her for a lifetime. The two ended up separating and Cristina, who in the meantime had approached the Carbonari circles, decided to dedicate her life to the cause of the Risorgimento.
With her own struggle, the woman entered the crosshairs of the Austrian police and had to flee to France and from there continue her patriotic activity, writing articles and financing newspapers. He then returned to Milan, where he entered even more into the circles of the Risorgimento, even going so far as to organize an army during the famous "Five days of Milan". He left political activity only in 1861, after the proclamation of theUnification of Italy, only to die 10 years later, at the age of 63.
Photo source: Instagram @beppesala
