Just in front of Union Station in Worcester Massachusetts is a large statue depicting Christopher Columbus aka Cristoforo Colombo. This statue was donated by Attorney Nunziato Fusaro in memory of his wife Esther Fusaro.
The statue was first installed in 1978. It was created by artist Aldo W. Gatti. There is also a Cristoforo Colombo park in Worcester, named in 1977. The city has a strong Italian-American contingent.
Engraving on the statue reads:
TO HONOR THE NAVIGATOR, EXPLORER, APOSTLE AND DISCOVERER OF AMERICA, THIS STATUE IS ERECTED IN BEHALF OF THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY OF WORCESTER. 1978.
In recent years this statue has been defaced several times by groups who feel the legacy of this Italian explorer features genocide, slavery, and child trafficking.
Leave a Reply