The monument to the Duke of Aosta is large in every aspect: its size(34 meters), its cost (3 million lire payed by the War Ministry) and the scale of the 8 soldiers and Emanuele Filiberto's portrait. It consists of an ample platform and a step footboard supporting a trench that forms the base to nine different statues. The erect figure of Emanuele Filiberto Duke of Aosta is located centrally in a slightly raised position, with two groups of four soldiers placed around a square base prism.The monument,built in 1937,is completed by two standard-bearers, wearing the House of Savoy knot and the coats of arms of Turin and all Battle Corps, are at the sides of the platform and placed in a forward position. Sculptor Baroni'project won the competition: a monumental realism of statues with very male stiff jaws was closer to the sensitivity of Italian military commanders. The monument was placed behind Palazzo Madama, once a ducal residence for two strong-willed Regent women, who gave it its name (Madam was the title of the Dowager), built on a Roman gate and transformed into a fortress during the Middle Ages. The medieval part can still be seen in the back side of the building, and here in the background of the photo, under a restoration screen hosting Trussardi's billboard. Castle Square, where you can visit this and other royal buildings, is the real heart of Turin. When I took the pictures forming this collage the 34 metre-long stepped platform had proved too strong a temptation for skateboarders. When I arrived at 1.00 p.m.they were already there, practising their sport, and when I came back at 7.00 p.m. they were still there and with no noticeable sign of being tired of risking their necks. I remember how my students got bored with every exertion involving either homework or visits to museums, thus I mused on the fact that if the skateboarders had been ordered to practise, at the very least they would have played the victims of oppression, and at most they would have founded an association to defend their rights. Most shots were taken during the same period of time of those of the homeless behind the monument. The two groups had no contacts and no apparent interest in each other. Thank you for the kind comments.