Talking statues of Rome

A damaged statue is on a pedestal in front of a stone wall; the pedestal has a number of pieces of paper with writing on them glued to it
The statue Pasquino, the first talking statue of Rome

The talking statues of Rome (Italian: statue parlanti di Roma) or the Congregation of Wits (Congrega degli arguti) provided an outlet for a form of anonymous political expression in Rome.[1] Criticisms in the form of poems or witticisms were posted on well-known statues in Rome, as an early instance of bulletin board. It began in the 16th century and continues to the present day.

In addition to Pasquino and Marforio, the talking statues include: Madama Lucrezia, Abbot Luigi, Il Babuino, and Il Facchino.[1]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference web was invoked but never defined (see the help page).