Il Gobbo di Rialto

Venedig · Italien · Urban site

The stooping stone man carries the steps where the laws were read out. Condemned thieves ran here naked through the whips — and kissed his back.

In Campo San Giacometto at Rialto crouches a stone figure carrying a small flight of steps: il Gobbo, the hunchback, carved by Pietro da Salò in 1541. From those steps the republic's laws and proclamations were read out to the people. Legend says the figure portrays a real hunchbacked man condemned to carry just such a stair until the effort killed him. The other story attached to the stone is better documented: condemned thieves began their flogging run between the columns of the Piazzetta and ran naked through the crowd all the way to Rialto. The punishment ended only when the condemned man kissed the Gobbo. The Church disliked the custom and called it pagan, but Venetians kept it for centuries.

FAQ

Hvor ligger Il Gobbo di Rialto?

Il Gobbo di Rialto ligger i Venedig, Italien.