Statue of the Republic

This colossal statue stands majestically protecting the entrance to the Hall of Lost Steps of the Capitol. It is part of a trio of great statues that you'll find around the building (the other two represent Virtue and Labour), designed by the Italian sculptor Angello Zanelli in 1929. It is said that he was inspired by the Havanan model Lily Valty to make it. Its sheer size is impressive: it's 17 meters high, and weighs 49 tons, making it the third biggest indoor statue in the world. The brass it's made from has been plated with 22 carat gold, and it stands on a platform of three steps, on a pedestal