The incredible pieces of art in this world never cease to amaze. From ancient sculpture working with marble to modern designers working with metals, the artistry that is expressed if often stunning.

This giant sculpture is hiding something special on the inside!

This huge statue is a depiction of the Italian mountain god, Appennino. The name seems to fit, too! The entire thing is absolutely huge, standing 35 feet tall and built into the rock face.

The sculpture was built in the late 1500’s by an Italian sculptor.

Italy has always been the birthplace for some of the world’s most renowned artists. This statue is yet another example of that. Carved by the Italian sculptor Giambologna, it includes some special features that are not immediately visible from the outside!

You can see the “hidden” additions when looking at a dissected model.

Looking at the model, you get a chance to see the secrets within. The sculpture has hidden rooms and grottos behind and withing the rock.

The name of this creation is “Appennine Colossus”.

You can visit this mountainous monstrosity if you are ever in Florence, Italy! Designed in a way that has the god watching the pond, you can sense the character that Giambologna put into it.

The location has some history in its rock!

The guardian sits and you can’t help but wonder at its beauty! In its prime, the location was dotted and surrounded with other statues, creating a serene environment.

Since the construction of the shrine, the accompanying statues have been stolen.

Over the years, smaller pieces of the statue have been stolen. The little bronze details and statues are now nowhere to be seen. My Modern Met says:

At one point, the colossal figure stood amidst a number of other bronze statues, many of which have now gone lost or stolen. The massive brick and stone structure withstood centuries in the same spot, managing to maintain its figurative composition in all that time.

What was the original purpose of the sculpture?

Well, art often is created simply for its beauty! This piece seems to have been built on the orders of an Italian duke! The piece of land was an estate for the duke’s mistress. As part of the construction of the estate, the Italian artist was asked to add his touch through a sculpture!

The mountain god represents the connection between man and nature.

Even without the above description, you get a sense of the connectedness of the statue and its surroundings. It doesn’t look “placed” there as much as it looks to be revealed from the rock around it.

The park that the colossus is situated in, once built as an estate for the mistress of an Italian duke, serves as the perfect setting for the gentle giant. His presence demonstrates a connection between man and nature. The massive size of the structure also echoes the relationship that is greater than reality. The colossus presents a surreal bond to nature.

Our bond with nature can be seen through this artistic expression.

Once again, we stand in awe of the beauty of the creations of those before us!

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Source: Bored Panda, My Modern Met