The work, created by the sculptor from Palermo, Cosimo Sorgi, using bronze from enemy cannons, depicts a female figure — Grateful Italy — holding in her left hand a book and the palm of victory, while with her right hand she points to the sacrifice of the soldier at her feet, embraced by the tricolor flag.
Originally placed on Viale Regina Margherita, in front of Villa Amedeo, the sculpture was intended to be surrounded by a portico that was never built. Instead, in 1923, 289 trees were planted along the avenue, each bearing a plaque with the name of a fallen soldier: the avenue was renamed “Viale della Rimembranza” (Remembrance Avenue). Over the years, both the trees and plaques were removed. Finally, in the 1960s, the monument was moved to its current location at the “Rotonda.”