Statue Genio di Palermo

The Genius of Piazza Revolution or Fontana del Genio is a 16th-century statue placed on a 19th-century fountain in Piazza Revolution.

The Genius of Palermo (Genio or Palermo ) is the patron deity of the city, complementary to Santa Rosalia, patron saint of the city. It is one of the emblems of Palermo.

He is depicted as an adult man with a forked beard , crowned and embracing a snake that feeds on his breast.

There are 8 different images throughout the city , seven of which are sculptures (two of which are fountains), two are fresco paintings (one of which is the work of Vito D'Anna ) and another is a mosaic at the entrance to the Palatine Chapel.

Its origins are probably pre-Roman, but there is no accurate mythology about the archetype of this legendary and mysterious protective deity

The Genio of Palermo here in Piazza Revoluzione took on a new role during the uprisings of 1848 , becoming the symbol of Palermo's desire for freedom and emancipation from Bourbon rule: during that period the rebellious people gathered in protest around the statue , shrouded in the tricolor.

Willem Vandenameele