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Giant 16th-Century ‘Colossus’ Sculpture In Florence, Italy Has Entire Rooms Hidden Inside
Giant 16th-Century ‘Colossus’ Sculpture In Florence, Italy Has Entire Rooms Hidden Inside
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Giant 16th-Century ‘Colossus’ Sculpture In Florence, Italy Has Entire Rooms Hidden Inside

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This epic colossus, half man, half mountain, was erected in the late 1500s by renowned Italian sculptor Giambologna as a symbol of Italy’s rugged Appenine mountains. This mountain god, fittingly named Appennino, stand 35 feet tall over the ground of the Villa di Pratolino in Tuscany.

The rugged, mountainous statue hides a wonderful secret – his interior hides several rooms with different functions that made this colossus come to life. The monster that his left hand holds spewed water from an underground stream, and it is rumored that space in his head was made for a fireplace which, when lit, would blow smoke out of his nostrils.

The park in which the colossus currently stands, Villa Demidoff, will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM until 7PM until the end of October.

More info: discovertuscany.comBlogspot (h/t: mymodernmet)

RELATED:

    This epic colossus was erected in the late 1500s by renowned Italian sculptor Giambologna

    Image credits: Stephen H.

    The mountain god is 35 feet tall and stands in Florence, Italy

    Image credits: imgur

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    This model reveals the rooms inside of the colossus

    colosso-dell-appennino-sculpture-florence-italy-5

    Image credits: Andreas Angelidakis

    colosso-dell-appennino-sculpture-florence-italy-7

    Image credits: Andreas Angelidakis

    These photos reveal some of the grottos hidden inside his depths

    colosso-dell-appennino-sculpture-florence-italy-6

    Image credits: Andreas Angelidakis

    colosso-dell-appennino-sculpture-florence-italy-8

    Image credits: Andreas Angelidakis

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    Image credits: Delicious Malicious

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    colosso-dell-appennino-sculpture-florence-italy-4

    Image credits: Andreas Angelidakis

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    Dovas

    Dovas

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

    Read less »
    Dovas

    Dovas

    Author, Community member

    There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

    What do you think ?
    Annie
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the reasons I want to go to Italy.

    PauloGarcia
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ohhh I see what those rooms in the back mean

    SeanDarby
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a dragon on the back, too ;) I saw it in 2005, and it was incredibly impressive! Like a 17min bus ride from Florence. http://grandvoyageitaly.weebly.com/the-piazza/strange-places-in-italy-the-appennine-colossus-a-giant-renaissance-statue-near-florence

    Ree Montgomery
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is not a colossus, that is a giant in the earth.

    snazZydoddle
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is on my bucket list now woaH

    Emma Richardson
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    looks like hes griping the throat of a dragon........

    Zajer house
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    waw i surpprising for see this

    Heather Sherbourne
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's very amazing. The model kinda got me giggling that it appears we would need to enter thru his a**s. However, i have almost gotten my maturity back now.

    AmandaWhittaker
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm super miffed about going to Florence several times and not knowing or seeing this magnificent sculpture. Guess I just need to go back :)

    AustinEnglish
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks a lot like William Blake's The Ancient of Days painting.

    BasuDevPokhrel
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    its real very amazing and wonderful...

    DianaCovell
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I LOVE THE SCULPTURE!! SO LIFE LIKE.

    MáyumiKakizaki
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG (ohMaiGawd)!! I NEEEED to visit this site!!

    RosemaryTurpin
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I`d like to know more about what those rooms were designed for and what use has been made of them since!

    BarneyMcdnald
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the workmanship is just AMAIZING !!

    LilyFilson
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The photographs of the interior are from a different grotto entirely at Pratolino (the Grotto of Cupid), they're NOT what is inside the Appennine!

    LilyFilson
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi just a correction on the images of the interior: they are from a completely DIFFERENT grotto in the same park! The ones you see are from the Grotto of Cupid, NOT the Appennine!

    KwihuiHalliday
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible! My puny words of expressions wouldn't be enough. Breath taking.

    SallyGillies
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW! Wish I could see it in person.

    MichaelLutner
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so amazing and the fact that it was constructed in the 1500s makes it even cooler

    ShirleyBattie
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why didn't I know about this when I was in Florence? I love it.

    PatPlastererRuhl
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would be nicer if they would have taken some pics with people standing there so we can get a grasp on the actual size of it.

    PostFede
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you like that, there is something even better about 100 km north of Rome close to Urbino. Il Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo created in the 16th century. it's simply magic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardens_of_Bomarzo

    DandelionWine
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome, but giant statues always make me cringe with fear

    J M
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is no sculpting.. research mud fossils

    Heather Sherbourne
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm under control now, thanks. Yes, it's amazing

    Annie
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the reasons I want to go to Italy.

    PauloGarcia
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ohhh I see what those rooms in the back mean

    SeanDarby
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a dragon on the back, too ;) I saw it in 2005, and it was incredibly impressive! Like a 17min bus ride from Florence. http://grandvoyageitaly.weebly.com/the-piazza/strange-places-in-italy-the-appennine-colossus-a-giant-renaissance-statue-near-florence

    Ree Montgomery
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is not a colossus, that is a giant in the earth.

    snazZydoddle
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is on my bucket list now woaH

    Emma Richardson
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    looks like hes griping the throat of a dragon........

    Zajer house
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    waw i surpprising for see this

    Heather Sherbourne
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's very amazing. The model kinda got me giggling that it appears we would need to enter thru his a**s. However, i have almost gotten my maturity back now.

    AmandaWhittaker
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm super miffed about going to Florence several times and not knowing or seeing this magnificent sculpture. Guess I just need to go back :)

    AustinEnglish
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks a lot like William Blake's The Ancient of Days painting.

    BasuDevPokhrel
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    its real very amazing and wonderful...

    DianaCovell
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I LOVE THE SCULPTURE!! SO LIFE LIKE.

    MáyumiKakizaki
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG (ohMaiGawd)!! I NEEEED to visit this site!!

    RosemaryTurpin
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I`d like to know more about what those rooms were designed for and what use has been made of them since!

    BarneyMcdnald
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the workmanship is just AMAIZING !!

    LilyFilson
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The photographs of the interior are from a different grotto entirely at Pratolino (the Grotto of Cupid), they're NOT what is inside the Appennine!

    LilyFilson
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi just a correction on the images of the interior: they are from a completely DIFFERENT grotto in the same park! The ones you see are from the Grotto of Cupid, NOT the Appennine!

    KwihuiHalliday
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible! My puny words of expressions wouldn't be enough. Breath taking.

    SallyGillies
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW! Wish I could see it in person.

    MichaelLutner
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so amazing and the fact that it was constructed in the 1500s makes it even cooler

    ShirleyBattie
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why didn't I know about this when I was in Florence? I love it.

    PatPlastererRuhl
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would be nicer if they would have taken some pics with people standing there so we can get a grasp on the actual size of it.

    PostFede
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you like that, there is something even better about 100 km north of Rome close to Urbino. Il Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo created in the 16th century. it's simply magic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardens_of_Bomarzo

    DandelionWine
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome, but giant statues always make me cringe with fear

    J M
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is no sculpting.. research mud fossils

    Heather Sherbourne
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm under control now, thanks. Yes, it's amazing

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