Monumento dei Quattro Mori (Monument of the Four Moors) is Livorno’s most striking sculpture. Located at the city’s port-side entrance, many consider it to be the primary emblem of Livorno. Marvel at its construction and learn about its fascinating history.
The monument was built to remind visitors who arrived in the city by sea of the Grand Duke’s authority. Rising in the centre of the monument is the statue of Ferdinand I de’ Medici, the founder of Livorno and the Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1587 to 1609. This Carrara marble statue of the duke was created in 1599 by famous sculptor Giovanni Bandini.
In 1626, four bronze figures of Moors chained to the bottom of the pedestal were added to the monument by Pietro Tacca. Observe their expressions and postures, which suggest the suffering and anguish caused by slavery. Tacca visited a nearby prison and selected prisoners to act as his models. Many believe the four figures represent the Ages of Man, while others see them as representations of real people.
Note the base of the monument, which was originally decorated with Barbary military decorations, trophies and emblems. When Napoleon’s troops left the city in 1799, they took these ornaments with them. French museums have searched thoroughly for these objects, but they remain missing to this day.
Tacca planned to install two large fountains representing marine creatures on either side of the monument. However, Cosimo II de’ Medici, the next Grand Duke of Tuscany after Ferdinand I, decided to bring them to Florence instead. The fountains still stand in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, thought to be Florence’s most beautiful square.
Monumento dei Quattro Mori is located on Livorno’s port. Take a walk along the harbour and enjoy spectacular views overlooking the ocean. From here, it is short walk to the city’s famous seafood market or a ferry ride to the neighboring islands of Gorgona and Capraia.
