Abbot Luigi
| Abbot Luigi | |
|---|---|
| Italian: Abbate Luiggi | |
Piazza Vidoni | |
| 41°53′46″N 12°28′28″E / 41.896056°N 12.474556°E | |
Abbot Luigi (Romanesco: Abbate Luiggi; Italian: Abate Luigi) is one of the talking statues of Rome. Like the other five "talking statues", pasquinades – irreverent satires poking fun at public figures – were posted beside Abate Luigi in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The statue is a late
Basilica di Sant'Andrea della Valle
. Its head has been removed in jest several times.
The original identity of the person depicted has not been determined, and it was named after a clergyman from the nearby chiesa del Sudario.
An inscription on its plinth testifies to Abate Luigi's loquacity:
FUI DELL’ANTICA ROMA UN CITTADINO
ORA ABATE LUIGI OGNUN MI CHIAMA
CONQUISTAI CON
PASQUINO
NELLE SATIRE URBANE ETERNA FAMA
EBBI OFFESE, DISGRAZIE E SEPOLTURA
MA QUI VITA NOVELLA E ALFIN SICURA
I was a citizen of Ancient Rome
Now all call me Abbot Louis
Along with Marforio and Pasquino I conquer
Eternal fame for Urban Satire
I received offences, disgrace, and burial,
till here I found new life and finally safety
See also
- The Scior Carera in Milan.
Sources
- Rendina, C., "Pasquino statua parlante”, ROMA ieri, oggi, domani, n. 20 – febbraio 1990