Garibaldi was one of the most important figures in the history of Italy. He was a general, a politician, and a patriot, who fought for the unification of Italy in the 19th century. He is of course honoured by many monuments and streets names in Italy.
This one in Lucca, Tuscany is somewhat special as he had special ties with the city.
He visited the city in 1867, after his failed attempt to conquer Rome from the Pope. He was greeted by a large crowd of supporters, who cheered him as a hero. He gave a speech at the Piazza San Michele, where he praised the people of Lucca for their loyalty to the new Italian Kingdom.
Garibaldi also had another personal connection with Lucca, as his second wife, Giuseppina Raimondi, was born there in 1840. She was a wealthy merchant’s daughter and a fan of Garibaldi. However, their marriage was unhappy and short-lived, as Garibaldi soon found out that she cheated on him.
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