A tribute in stone to the poetic soul of Calabria, where history and artistry embrace the sea.

Celebrating a Local Poet’s Legacy Amid the Calabrian Horizon

The Monument to Francesco Sofia Alessio stands proudly in Reggio Calabria as a timeless homage to one of the region’s most distinguished literary figures. Born in Radicena on September 18, 1873, Alessio gained international recognition. He won three gold medals at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Sciences of Amsterdam, for works like Sepulcrum Joannis Pascoli (1917), Ultimi Tibulli dies (1920), and Asterie (1936). Moreover, he earned the Academy’s Gran Lode twelve additional times, cementing his reputation as a poet of extraordinary talent.

Designed by sculptor Alessandro Monteleone, the monument blends architectural strength with artistic elegance. Its broad cement base is clad entirely in travertine and carries a Latin inscription. This detail, in turn, nods to the universality and endurance of human expression. Rising from the base, a column faces the sparkling Mediterranean, crowned with a high-relief sculpture of intimate human gestures. Families, friends, and everyday moments are immortalized in stone, thus reflecting Alessio’s dedication to capturing emotion and experience through verse.

Beyond its aesthetic grandeur, the monument connects visitors to Calabria’s cultural heart. It evokes landscapes that inspired Alessio’s writing—from the gentle hills of Radicena to the coastal vistas of Reggio Calabria. Consequently, it creates a contemplative space where history, poetry, and art converge. As the sun glints off the travertine and the sea breeze animates the promenade, every detail invites reflection on the enduring legacy of a poet whose words bridged local identity with universal themes.