At the apex of Manno Street, in the small Piazza Martiri, stands the monument dedicated to the memory of Sardinians who fell in the battles for Italian independence and unification. This monument, by Piedmontese sculptor Giuseppe Sartorio, was unveiled on August 16, 1886. Originally the work rested on a four-sided base, and was enclosed by a low, finely wrought-iron railing. On the four sides of the base dado are engraved the dates relating to the wars fought for independence and the Unification of Italy, while in relief some round shields bear the names of the localities where the main battles were fought. The remaining side surfaces bear the names, surnames and military rank of Sardinians who fell heroically for Italian independence. This monument arose through the private initiative of some Sardinian soldiers, who promoted a subscription throughout the island to commemorate and pass on the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the redemption and unification of Italy. In 1928 there was a proposal to remove the monument to eliminate the bottleneck formed at the entrance to Manno Street. The monument, moreover, was described as an “artistically highly questionable and, undoubtedly, cumbersome work.” After various debates the monument was removed from its location in December 1933. In 1934 the monument was placed in Remembrance Park, next to the Carabinieri Legion. In 1994 the Sardinian Martyrs Monument was returned to its original location.
