As you get to know the most famous sculptures in Rome, know that you are about to embark on an epic undertaking.
The historic center of Rome was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. The Eternal City preserves artistic evidence spanning nearly 3,000 years of history, and of course, there are hundreds of fascinating statues in Rome worth discovering.
In this article, you will find a guide to some of the best sculptures and statues in Rome, from ancient to contemporary times. Even if you only have a few days to visit Rome, with a little planning you will still be able to admire many of them in person.
The artworks I mention in this article include statues and Roman busts, fountains, and stunning sculpted architectural elements.
Some of these masterpieces appear along the classic itinerary through Rome’s historic center, such as the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius. Others, like Michelangelo’s Moses, are preserved in churches beyond the beaten tourist trails. Some sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini can be found in the piazzas, while others, are displayed inside galleries.
Most Famous Sculptures in Rome
1. Paolina Borghese
One of the sculptures that will leave you speechless in the Borghese Gallery is Paolina Borghese by Antonio Canova. Canova is the leading figure of Neoclassical sculpture, a movement that sought to recreate the ideal beauty of antiquity in a clean and elegant way, as a symbol of rationality and perfection.
Pauline, the sister of Napoleon Bonaparte and the wife of Camillo Borghese, is portrayed here as Venus Victrix, holding an apple—the prize awarded to the most beautiful goddess.
Canova completed the work in 1808. He was open about his technique: he first created a plaster model before his students began carving the marble block.
When the sculpture was nearly finished but still required refinement, Canova added the final touches, smoothing the surface with progressively finer abrasives until achieving the desired effect.
Beyond the remarkable smoothness of the marble, it is worth noting the precision with which the sculptor reproduced the cushions and mattress.
The Borghese Gallery is settled in the Borghese Gardens, Rome’s “Central Park.”
2. Piety
When Michelangelo was still very young, in 1497, Cardinal Jean de Bilhères commissioned him to create “the most beautiful work in marble in Rome,” and the artist rose to the challenge.
Michelangelo carved the Pietà from a single block of Carrara marble in which he had envisioned the image of the Virgin Mary holding the body of her son.
At the time, it was extremely rare to sculpt works in the round featuring more than one subject.
There is a deliberate contrast between the abundant folds of the Virgin’s dress and the frail, emaciated body of Christ, whose head rests gently against her. The figure of Mary welcomes and cradles the lifeless body of Jesus with all the tenderness and pain of a grieving mother.
What many consider one of the most valuable sculptures in Rome is preserved inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
3. The Abduction of Proserpina
Gian Lorenzo Bernini created this incredible artwork between 1621 and 1622. The sculpture depicts the moment when Ades, god of the underworld, abducts Proserpina, daughter of Ceres, goddess of agriculture.
The artwork illustrates the mythological tale of Ades falling in love with Proserpina and kidnapping her with the help of Cerberus, his three-headed dog.
The sculpture is remarkable for its extraordinary realism and powerful sense of movement. Bernini masterfully captures the moment when Pluto’s fingers sink into Proserpina’s flesh as she struggles to escape his grasp. The folds of her dress and the texture of her hair are rendered with astonishing detail, while Pluto’s muscles are taut with effort.
This piece is one of the finest examples of Baroque art in Rome, a style intended to evoke emotion and dramatic intensity.
The Abduction of Proserpina remains one of Bernini’s most moving and technically astonishing works. You can admire it inside the Borghese Gallery.
4. Sculptures of the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain gained worldwide fame thanks to its appearance in the 1960 film La Dolce Vita, in which actress Anita Ekberg famously bathes in the fountain and is joined by Marcello Mastroianni. The fountain occupies the back of Palazzo Poli and stands in Piazza di Trevi, which appears surprisingly small compared to the scale of the sculptures.
The history of the Trevi Fountain spans more than 2,000 years. The first large and simple basin was placed here as the terminal point of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, a hydraulic work commissioned by Agrippa in 19 BC.
From the 16th century onward, several architects and sculptors contributed to its design after the popes decided to make it “monumental.” Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Nicola Salvi, Giuseppe Pannini, and Pietro Bracci are among the artists who worked on it.
The fountain’s impressive appearance is due to its vast basin, symbolizing the sea. In the central niche, the god Oceanus emerges from a rocky backdrop, accompanied by two figures on horseback representing the dual nature of the sea: one calm and the other turbulent. In the side niches, two female figures symbolize the qualities of the water brought by the aqueduct: Salubrity and Abundance.
The sculptures are the work that made Pietro Bracci, an 18th-century artist, one of the most renowned Roman sculptors.
5. Moses
Michelangelo Buonarroti, the Renaissance artist known worldwide for the frescoes on the vault of the Sistine Chapel, was above all an extraordinary sculptor.
It is said that when Michelangelo completed the sculpture preserved in Rome’s Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, it was so perfect that the artist struck it on the knee shouting, “Now speak!”
Michelangelo sculpted the Moses to decorate the tomb of Pope Julius II. The sculpture portrays Moses at the moment he realizes that his people are worshipping false gods after he descends from Mount Sinai carrying the tablets of the Law.
His face expresses anger, the muscles of his arms are tense, and the marble robe resembles a linen tunic following the movement of his leg.
To admire this masterpiece by Michelangelo, visit the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli on the Oppio Hill, less than 500 meters from the Colosseum.
6. Apollo and Daphne
Apollo and Daphne is widely considered Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s masterpiece.
Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, gave Bernini the opportunity to demonstrate his extraordinary skill by commissioning four sculptural groups for the Borghese Palace:
- Apollo and Daphne
- Aeneas and Anchises
- The Abduction of Proserpina
- David
Bernini’s sculptures capture the most dramatic and decisive moment in the lives of his characters. In Apollo and Daphne, this is the instant when the nymph Daphne begins to transform into a tree.
The story is told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Eros, seeking revenge against Apollo, created two magical arrows: one capable of making a person fall in love and another capable of making a person reject love. Apollo was struck by the first arrow, Daphne by the second. Apollo pursued the nymph relentlessly, while Daphne begged her father to transform her into something that could save her.
Bernini immortalized the exact moment when Apollo grasps Daphne around the waist and she, frightened and astonished, begins turning into a laurel tree.
Apollo and Daphne is one of the most famous sculptures in Rome. You can admire it inside the Borghese Gallery, located within one of the city’s most beautiful public parks.
7. Mouth of Truth
As you explore Rome, make sure to visit the famous “Mouth of Truth,” or La Bocca della Verità, a marble mask believed to have been part of an ancient Roman fountain or possibly used as a drain cover near the Cloaca Maxima, one of the oldest sewer systems in the world.
Located in the portico of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, this sculpture measures 1.75 meters in diameter and attracts thousands of visitors each year. With its mysterious open mouth, wide eyes, and hollowed nostrils, it has fascinated people for centuries.
Its popularity increased after its appearance in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
In the movie, a tradition was introduced in which visitors place their hand inside the sculpture’s mouth: if they tell a lie, it is said that the sculpture will bite down on their hand. While this practice may be fictional, it created a compelling attraction, encouraging more tourists to visit and take part in this playful ritual.
The origin and purpose of the Mouth of Truth remain unclear, but several theories exist:
The Drain Theory: The sculpture may have been part of a Roman fountain or drainage system.
The Water Clock: Some historians suggest it was used as a decorative element in an ancient water clock.
The Pagan Icon: Others speculate that it represented a pagan deity, perhaps a river god or Oceanus, the divine personification of the sea.
Despite the mystery surrounding it, the Mouth of Truth is a must-see attraction when visiting Rome. Enjoy the enigmatic sculpture, its legends, and its cinematic history.
8. The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
In 1645, Cardinal Federico Cornaro entrusted Bernini with the design of the family chapel in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome.
Bernini decided to make the sculpture representing an ecstatic moment in the life of Saint Teresa of Ávila the centerpiece of the chapel.
To illuminate the saint’s face, he designed a hidden window above the sculpture.
Before creating one of the most famous sculptures in Rome, Bernini must have carefully read Saint Teresa’s autobiography. In it, the saint recounts the mystical experience known in Catholicism as “transverberation,” when an angel pierces the saint’s heart with a golden dart.
The work is made of marble and gilded bronze.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers stands at the center of Piazza Navona, the most beautiful square in Rome.
In 1648, Pope Innocent X commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to design the fountain for the square dominated by the Pamphilj family palace.
The basin sits almost at street level. From a massive sculpted rock of travertine rises the Obelisk of Domitian, surmounted by a dove, symbol of the Pamphilj family.
At the four corners of the rock are monumental figures inspired both by Michelangelo’s art and by classical sculpture. They represent the four major rivers known at the time:
- Danube
- Ganges
- Nile
- Rio de la Plata
According to art historians, the fountain symbolizes the supremacy of the papacy over the four known continents.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers is one of Rome’s most celebrated Baroque masterpieces and an enduring symbol of papal power.
If you visit Piazza Navona to admire the fountain, you will also discover two additional fountains decorated with beautiful sculptures: the Fountain of Neptune and the Fountain of the Moor.
Let “the piazza” be your gateway to discovering the Parione neighborhood.
10. Trajan’s Column
Trajan’s Column is a monumental structure that stands forty-two meters tall in the Forum of Trajan, part of the archeological area of the Imperial Forum.
The column was erected in AD 113 to commemorate Emperor Trajan’s victories in Dacia (present-day Romania) and is famous for its spiral bas-relief that winds around the shaft for more than 180 meters. The column was designed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus and is considered a masterpiece of Roman art.
The frieze depicts Trajan’s two military campaigns against the Dacians and features over two thousand figures in sixty scenes. The emperor appears prominently throughout the narrative, which begins with the preparation for war and ends with the defeat of the Dacians. The composition is methodical in its chronology, and the figures are rendered with remarkable detail and precision.
The column is made up of eighteen gigantic Parian marble blocks, each weighing about 40 tons, and is accessed by a spiral staircase of 185 steps. The interior receives light from 43 narrow openings along the frieze, which spirals 23 times around the shaft, illustrating around 150 scenes.
Trajan’s Column represents one of the absolute masterpieces of sculptural art of all time and is also one of the most important historical landmarks in Rome.
The column was initially crowned with a statue of an eagle, but after Trajan’s death it was replaced with a six-meter-high gilded bronze statue of the emperor himself.
In 1587, Pope Sixtus V replaced the emperor’s statue with a statue of St. Peter, which still stands at the top today.
The ashes of Trajan and his wife Plotina were placed in a chamber at the base of the column.
Trajan’s Column is a testament to the power and grandeur of the Roman Empire and a remarkable example of the artistic and architectural achievements of the time.
It remains a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Rome’s enduring legacy.
You can admire it from Via dei Fori Imperiali St.
11. Capitoline she-wolf
One of the most famous Roman statues is the Capitoline she-wolf, also known as the “statue of Romulus and Remus.”
This statue is still a symbol of the city of Rome today. It depicts a life-size she-wolf in the act of suckling two infants. One can recognize in it a representation of the legend of Romulus and Remus, part of the myth of the founding of Rome.
The twins were the sons of the god Mars and Rhea Silvia. The woman was a Vestal Virgin and the daughter of Numitor, king of Alba Longa, a village located near Lake Albano in the Roman countryside.
When Numitor’s throne was usurped by his brother, the twins were placed in a basket and set adrift on the River Tiber. The basket reached the foot of the Palatine Hill, where a she-wolf found it and decided to take the twins to safety and nurse them in a cave.
The she-wolf statue is kept in the Capitoline Museums. As with the previous statue, it was thought for centuries to be much older than it actually is.
Radiocarbon dating has established that it dates back to the 13th century and is therefore medieval, as suggested by the casting technique used. The statues of the twins are instead an addition from the 15th century.
However, the Roman historian Livy narrates the presence of two statues of the Capitoline she-wolf in the 3rd century BC, one on the Capitoline Hill and one in the Cave of the Lupercal (where it is said that the she-wolf raised Romulus and Remus) on the Palatine Hill.
The depiction of the she-wolf with the twins also appears on Roman coins. For most of the duration of the empire, the she-wolf was considered a symbol of Rome—or rather, of the favor of the gods (she-wolf) toward the Roman people (the twins).
12. Sarcophagus of the Spouses
The National Etruscan Museum of Rome houses one of the most precious works of Etruscan funerary art: the Sarcophagus of the Spouses, dating back to 520 BC. The sarcophagus was discovered in one of the noble tombs of the monumental Banditaccia Necropolis in Cerveteri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 30 km from Rome.
The work has been reassembled from approximately 400 fragments. The unknown Etruscan artist used a combination of handwork and moulding to create the sarcophagus, which once contained the remains of the deceased.
The figures are portrayed in the act of feasting. Banquets were held on the occasion of funerals, even inside burial chambers. It was customary among the Greeks and Romans to take part in such banquets while reclining on couches known as a “triclinium.”
Sarcophagi are considered among the finest examples of Etruscan funerary art, and many are preserved in museums across Italy and around the world.
As in other Etruscan sarcophagi, such as those preserved at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the importance of the woman in the Sarcophagus of the Spouses is impossible to ignore.
The couple is portrayed on the same level, with their heads close together. The man is shown gently leaning toward his wife, placing her at the center of the scene in a prominent position.
13. Barcaccia Fountain
The so-called “Barcaccia” Fountain, whose name roughly translates as “Old, Sinking Boat,” was carved in travertine by Pietro Bernini, father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The image of the half-sunken boat contrasts beautifully with the dramatic upward sweep of the Spanish Steps, helping make Piazza di Spagna one of the most elegant squares in Rome.
Tradition says the subject was inspired by the flooding of the Tiber in 1598, when a small boat transporting wine to the nearby Ripetta harbor was stranded in the square.
The story impressed Pope Urban VIII so much that, after commissioning the fountain, Pietro Bernini decided to immortalize the event.
A less romantic theory claims the unusual shape was chosen because the water pressure from the Aqua Virgo aqueduct was too weak at this point to power a traditional fountain.
You will almost certainly see the Barcaccia Fountain during your visit to the Spanish Steps, one of the essential stops in Rome.
13. Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
Historical records from late imperial Rome mention the presence of twenty-two monumental equestrian statues in the city. The only one to survive is the bronze monument dedicated to Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
The statue was probably created either after the emperor’s military victory over the Germanic tribes in 176 AD or after his death in 180 AD.
In 1538, Pope Paul III ordered the sculpture to be moved to the Capitoline Hill, seat of the city’s authorities.
When Michelangelo arrived in Rome, he was commissioned to redesign Piazza del Campidoglio and restore the statue of Marcus Aurelius.
Michelangelo transformed the monument into the focal point of the square. The original remained there until 1970, when it was transferred to the Capitoline Museums for preservation and replaced with a copy.
14. Statue of Giordano Bruno
In the middle of Campo dei Fiori Sq., stands the statue of Giordano Bruno.
Giordano Bruno was one of the major philosophers of the Renaissance. He was born in Nola, near Naples, in 1548 and died in Rome at the hands of the Catholic Inquisition on February 17, 1600.
The statue stands on the very spot where the philosopher was burned at the stake after years of imprisonment, punished for refusing to retract his views. Giordano Bruno has become a symbol of free thought and intellectual independence from religious authority. He dedicated his life to philosophy in practice and lived in various places across Italy and in Geneva, Switzerland.
For Bruno, the study of philosophy could not be separated from the study of nature, which he identified with God. He believed in the existence of infinite universes and countless solar systems and argued that the Earth was not the center of the universe. He viewed rigid religious dogma as a form of ignorance.
It was to commemorate this freedom of thought—one that cost him his life—that students of the University of Rome La Sapienza founded a committee in the late 19th century to erect the monument in Campo de’ Fiori.
The statue, cast by sculptor Ettore Ferrari, portrays the philosopher in his final moments, with his head covered by a hood and a book in his hand, his expression dark yet resolute. On the day of its inauguration, a procession of about 20,000 people marched from Termini Station to Campo de’ Fiori to celebrate the event.
15. Colossal head of Constantine
The Colossal Head of Constantine is part of the remains of a gigantic Roman statue about 12 meters high, now displayed in the Capitoline Museums.
The original statue stood inside the Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum. The basilica was begun by Maxentius in the 4th century AD and later completed by Constantine.
Like many sculptures from the period, the exposed body parts were made of marble while the garments were crafted from wood or stucco, which have since disappeared.
16. Lady of the Flavian Age
The “Hall of the Emperors” in the Capitoline Museums houses 76 Roman busts depicting emperors and members of the imperial family.
The identity of the subjects portrayed is, in some cases, uncertain, partly because in the classical era there was a tendency to represent public figures of a certain rank in canonical poses also used for divinities.
If you are not fond of Roman history, you might get bored scrolling through all the busts, but you will surely be fascinated by one of the most beautiful works in the room: the bust known as the Lady of the Flavian Age, also called “Fonseca,” from the 2nd century AD, by an unknown artist.
17. Statue of Julius Caesar
Inside the Imperial Forums, near the ruins of what used to be the Temple of the Divine Julius, there is a bronze statue of Julius Caesar. The statue is 3.35 meters tall and is a faithful copy of an ancient Roman marble sculpture, now displayed at the Senatorial Palace on the Capitoline Hill.
The casting of the copy was carried out at the Laganà Artistic Foundry in Naples in the 1930s. The bronze statue replaced the original in 1936 during the Fascist regime. Julius Caesar is portrayed in military attire and a commander’s cloak, in a composed, proud yet balanced pose.
To see the copy up close, you need to purchase an entrance ticket to the Imperial Forums.
As for the original marble sculpture, dating back to the 1st century BC, it can only be visited during rare extraordinary openings of the Senatorial Palace to the public. Inside the Imperial Forums, there are also three other statues of Roman emperors:
- Augustus
- Nerva
- Trajan
18. Giant foot sculpture
Exploring the streets of Rome’s historic center near the Pantheon, you may come across a sculpture of a giant foot wearing a sandal.
It stands at the intersection of Via del Pié di Marmo (“Marble Foot Street”) and Via di Santo Stefano del Cacco. This is probably a fragment of a colossal statue that once stood in the Temple of Isis and Serapis in Rome.
The temple, very popular in Roman times, stood on the site now occupied by the Church of Santo Stefano del Cacco, built in the 9th century.
The sculpture of the left foot, 123 cm long, likely belonged to a statue of the Egyptian goddess Isis. The base and sandal, typical of Roman footwear and wrapping around the foot, are carved from a single block.
To admire it, simply go to Via di Santo Stefano del Cacco St.
19. Pignone (Giant Pinecone)
The story of the large bronze pinecone located in the courtyard of the Vatican Museums is lost in various Roman legends.
One of these legends states that it originally belonged to the Temple of Isis and Serapis in Rome, where it functioned as a fountain.
According to another legend, in ancient times the pinecone “plugged” the oculus of the Pantheon’s dome. When the Pantheon was transformed into a Christian church in the 6th century, pagan demons flew away through the dome, taking the bronze pinecone with them.
Another tradition claims that the pinecone was once placed on top of the Mausoleum of Hadrian and contained the ashes of the emperor.
The sculpture is 4 meters high and 2.5 meters wide and dates back to the 2nd century AD. It is located in a “privileged” area of the Vatican Museums known as the Pinecone Courtyard.
To access the sculpture, there is a double staircase designed by Michelangelo.
In the same courtyard, there is also a contemporary sculpture that we will see shortly.
20. Laocoön
The sculpture depicts the Trojan priest Laocoön, who opposed the entry of the wooden horse into Troy, being enveloped and suffocated, together with his children, by sea serpents sent by the goddess Athena, who was allied with the Greeks during the Trojan War.
The work simultaneously expresses beauty, energy, and pain, all concentrated in Laocoön’s face and tense body.
It is said that the sculptural group was discovered during an archaeological excavation on the Esquiline Hill in Rome in 1506. For many centuries, it was believed to be a Greek work from the 1st century BC.
Contemporary art critics have raised serious doubts about the dating of the statue. Greek sculptors would never have represented a priest nude while emphasizing his muscles and physical strength in such a way—an approach more typical of a Renaissance sculptor.
Could this not be a work by Michelangelo Buonarroti himself?
To admire the Laocoön, you must visit the Vatican Museums.
21. Pasquino
While strolling through the streets of Rome’s historic center, you might come across the famous talking statue known as “Pasquino.” Situated in a small square near Piazza Navona, this ancient statue has been an iconic symbol of popular expression and satirical humor since the 16th century.
Pasquino is an ancient Roman sculpture discovered by chance in 1501 during construction works. Although its original subject remains unclear, it may represent a mythological figure or even a real person. The statue has undergone several restorations and is now missing parts of its limbs and other features.
Locals transformed Pasquino into a platform for critical messages, jokes, and satirical verses. This tradition, which began in the 16th century, continues today, allowing people to express opinions, complaints, and observations on social and political issues. It also gave rise to the term “pasquinade,” referring to a satirical composition or lampoon displayed in public.
Pasquino is just one of several talking statues in Rome. Others include:
- Babuino
- Madama Lucrezia
- Marforio
- Abbot Luigi
- Facchino
As you explore Rome’s artistic heritage, be sure to visit Pasquino, where people still express themselves in creative and thought-provoking ways.
This fascinating tradition adds a unique character to the city of Rome.
You’ll find the most famous talking statue of Rome in Piazza di Pasquino.
22. Etruscan Apollus
This terracotta statue deserves a place among the most famous sculptures in Rome.
The Apollo of Veii was discovered during excavations at the Etruscan sanctuary of Apollo in what is now the Veio Regional Park.
Alongside the statue of Apollo, found in fragments, there were three other life-size statues (about 180 cm tall): Hercules, Hermes (Mercury), and Artemis holding the “deer with golden horns.”
All four statues were originally placed on the roof of the temple, about 12 meters high. The scene depicted the struggle between Apollo and Hercules for the deer of Artemis, Apollo’s sister, while Hermes’ role was to pacify the conflict.
The statue of Apollo is made of painted terracotta. Its different parts were created separately and then fired together in the 6th century BC. The god is represented in a dynamic pose, captured mid-step. His face shows the typical features of Etruscan deities, with orientalizing elements, while his hair is arranged in long braids falling over his shoulders.
The attribution of the work remains uncertain. Some scholars attribute it to Vulca, the most famous Etruscan sculptor, while others suggest it was created by the so-called Master of Apollo, possibly from Vulca’s workshop.
To see the Apollo of Veii, visit the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia.
23. Holy Child of the Ara Coeli Church
The Holy Child of the Ara Coeli is an effigy believed to be miraculous and is carefully preserved in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill in Rome. The statue was carved from wood from Gethsemane by a Franciscan monk in the late 15th century.
Legend has it that the statue proved miraculous from the very beginning. After sculpting it, the friar searched for colors to paint it but could not find any. Before going to bed, he prayed for help, and when he woke up the next morning, the statue had already been painted by divine providence.
When the friar was called back to Rome by his superiors, he took the sculpture with him. During the journey, a violent storm struck the ship, and he was forced to throw the Holy Child into the sea. When he reached the port of Livorno and turned back toward the water, he witnessed a miracle: the sculpture was floating toward him, untouched.
The Holy Child was eventually brought to Rome and placed in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, where a Nativity scene is prepared every year. It was received with great devotion, and as soon as it was displayed to the public, many people gathered to pray and ask for graces.
Over the centuries, the Chapel of the Holy Child has been visited by millions of pilgrims. On the Festival of the Epiphany, the faithful of Rome still gather on the Capitoline Hill to receive its blessing.
24. Ciboria of Arnolfo di Cambio
The ciborium is one of the architectural elements that distinguish Christian basilicas: a tabernacle supported by four columns that shelters the altar where the Eucharist is held.
At the end of the 13th century, Arnolfo di Cambio, a sculptor and architect from a Tuscan village, created two precious ciboria in Rome—one in the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere and one in the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura.
The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Wall is one of the most underrated basilicas in Rome, yet it is absolutely a must-see if you venture out to explore the Ostiense district.
25. Angel of Grief
As you continue your quest for famous art in Rome, another sculpture that might capture your attention is the Angel of Grief. This beautiful marble sculpture is located at the Protestant Cemetery, where it adorns the grave of the English sculptor William Wetmore Story’s wife, Emelyn.
Created in 1894 by Story himself, the sculpture depicts an angel weeping over a broken column, symbolizing a life cut short. The level of detail in the sculpture, from the angel’s tears to her flowing drapery, showcases the heartache and delicate grief the artist must have felt while creating this emotive piece.
The Angel of Grief is highly sought-after among art enthusiasts, due to its powerful portrayal of emotion and exceptional craftsmanship. It has become a popular subject for photography and has inspired many replicas around the world.
To experience the depth and beauty of this sculpture for yourself, be sure to visit the Protestant Cemetery in Rome. While it may seem an unusual destination, the cemetery’s lush greenery and impressive tombstones make for an unforgettable, serene experience off the beaten tourist track.
26. Statue of Trilussa
In the beautiful city of Rome, you can find many captivating sculptures scattered across piazzas and parks. One such creation is the Statue of Trilussa, located in Trastevere, a neighborhood especially popular among food lovers.
The statue is dedicated to Trilussa, a beloved Roman poet known for his dialect poems depicting life in early 20th-century Rome, highlighting both the virtues and vices of its people. Born Carlo Alberto Salustri in 1871, “Trilussa” was an anagram of his surname.
Commissioned in 1954, a few years after his death, the four-meter (13-foot) monument was created by sculptor Lorenzo Ferri. As you observe this elegant sculpture, you will notice Trilussa’s serene expression and the tablet in his hand, symbolizing his devotion to poetry.
What makes the statue a must-see is not only its artistic value but also its setting. Located along the banks of the Tiber River, the trastevereTrastevere is known for its popular culture, lively atmosphere, and food tours.
27. Books’ Fountain
As you stroll through Rome, you may come across the Books’ Fountain, a charming hidden gem dedicated to literature and knowledge. Located near Navona Square, this unique sculpture celebrates the city’s appreciation for the written word and is a must-see for book lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
The fountain features a stack of books carved from stone, alongside the head of a deer. It was commissioned by the Municipality of Rome from sculptor Pietro Lombardi in 1927, as part of a plan to create a fountain representing each of Rome’s 22 districts.
It is located on Via degli Staderari, in the Rione Sant’Eustachio, whose symbol is a deer.
While admiring the intricate details of the sculpture, you will notice several water spouts integrated into the design. These elements add a touch of whimsy to the urban setting, further highlighting the blend of art and functionality that characterizes Rome.
28. Statue of Goethe
When visiting Rome, your trip would not be complete without exploring the Borghese Gardens, one of the most beautiful parks in the city. While strolling through this elegant green space, take a moment to appreciate the Statue of Goethe, a notable sculpture dedicated to the famous German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
The statue depicts Goethe in a seated position, diligently working on his writings. German sculptor Gustav Eberlein created this masterpiece in 1904 to commemorate the poet’s time in Italy between 1786 and 1788. During his stay, Goethe found great inspiration and wrote some of his most important works, including the celebrated Italian Journey.
Located near the entrance to the Borghese Gardens, the statue is a refined bronze depiction of Goethe surrounded by allegorical figures representing his literary and artistic inspirations. The base is adorned with an intricately carved relief illustrating scenes from Faust, one of his most influential works.
As you explore the Borghese Gardens, take time to appreciate the statue and its surroundings—a true blend of culture and natural beauty in the heart of Rome.
29. All Potential Targets
In Piazza Ostiense, in the southern part of the historic center, stands the sculptural group All Potential Targets.
This contemporary work was created in 1995 by Emilio Loffredi using iron, steel, bronze, and mirrors.
The installation consists of five silhouetted figures, each marked with a sight and chained together, gazing at their reflections in mirrors. These figures represent five groups persecuted during the Nazi-Fascist era in Europe: homosexuals, Roma people, Jews, immigrants, and political opponents.
A plaque beside the sculpture explains its meaning. The work conveys the idea that every person can become a target of persecution, reminding us of the importance of defending human and civil rights.
30. Sphere no. 1
Sphere No. 1 is a work by 20th-century artist Arnaldo Pomodoro, displayed in the Pinecone Courtyard of the Vatican Museums.
The sculpture, cast in bronze, belongs to Pomodoro’s Sphere Within a Sphere series, which can be found in various locations across Italy and the world. It is an enigmatic work with a strong philosophical dimension: a cracked outer sphere reveals an inner sphere filled with intricate, gear-like structures. The sculpture moves gently with the wind, adding a dynamic element to its form.
Wrap – up Most famous statues in Rome
Exploring the most famous statues in Rome means traveling through centuries of history, from ancient masterpieces to contemporary works.
Each sculpture tells a unique story and reflects the city’s rich artistic heritage.
During your visit, take time to discover both iconic landmarks and hidden gems scattered across Rome’s neighborhoods.