The Hidden Wonder of Florence: The Apennine Colossus

Sometimes I pause and think: how is it that I live here on planet Earth? This is one of those moments.

I recently stumbled upon something so epic, so fantastical, that I could not believe I had never learned about it in school or university. I had not heard of it anywhere—until Pinterest led me to it. No, it is not AI. This is real. You can find it in Florence at Villa Demidoff.

The Apennine Colossus is enormous—roughly 11 metres tall—and represents a man personifying the Apennine mountains. It is not just a sculpture; it is a whole architectural experience. Inside, there are multiple rooms, a fireplace, and even hidden passages. Legend suggests that, at one point, people could once fish from the eyes of the statue into the pond below. Even if that is not entirely true, what a brilliant idea!

Created by Giambologna (also known as Jean de Boulogne) in the late 16th century, the Colossus blends with the landscape, with waterways incorporated into its very body.

It is astonishing that something like this still exists today. The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the wonders of the ancient world, yet here is a massive, intricately designed human figure that survives in our time. Apart from temples and monumental buildings, this is arguably the largest sculpted human form I have ever seen.

I’ll definitely be diving deeper into its history, but I highly recommend checking out its Wikipedia page under ‘Apennine Colossus’. (As always, take Wikipedia with a pinch of salt—cross-reference if you can.)

Discovering this hidden marvel has truly brightened my day. It is a reminder that the world still holds epic surprises, tucked away in gardens, waiting for curious eyes to find them.