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The ghost of the biennial gardens — Riva dei Sette Martiri
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Ghosts and Legends 📍 Riva dei Sette Martiri, Italy 295 views

The ghost of the biennial gardens

It is said that in 1921, near the statue of Garibaldi placed inside the biennale gardens in Venice, a ghost in a red shirt appeared, harassing passersby with tugging and tripping. It was later identified as Giuseppe Zolli, a Garibaldi soldier born in 1838, who had vowed to watch...

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The ghost of the biennial gardens — Riva dei Sette Martiri, Italy.

Location
Riva dei Sette Martiri
Type
Ghosts and Legends
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About The ghost of the biennial gardens

The ghost of the biennial gardens - Riva dei Sette Martiri | Secret World Trip Planner

It is said that in 1921, near the statue of Garibaldi placed inside the biennale gardens in Venice, a ghost in a red shirt appeared, harassing passersby with tugging and tripping. It was later identified as Giuseppe Zolli, a Garibaldi soldier born in 1838, who had vowed to watch the Hero of Two Worlds' back even when he was dead. So the Venetians decided to place, behind Garibaldi's statue, a bronze bodyguard with the likeness of Zolli himself. From that day on, the ghost never reappeared. You can still admire both statues today, already knowing their legendary history.

The ghost of the biennial gardens - Riva dei Sette Martiri | Secret World Trip Planner
The ghost of the biennial gardens - Riva dei Sette Martiri | Secret World Trip Planner
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Frequently Asked Questions

The famous Garibaldi statue is located in the Biennale Gardens (Giardini della Biennale) in Venice, near the statue's entrance. This public garden is easily accessible and a popular spot for both art lovers visiting the Venice Biennale and history enthusiasts interested in the ghost legend.
Giuseppe Zolli was a Garibaldi soldier born in 1838 who vowed to protect the Hero of Two Worlds even after death. When his ghost began haunting the gardens in 1921, Venetians solved the problem by commissioning a bronze statue of Zolli as a bodyguard behind Garibaldi's statue, and the haunting ceased.
In 1921, a ghost in a red shirt appeared near the Garibaldi statue in the Biennale Gardens, frightening visitors by tugging at their clothes and tripping them. The apparition was later identified as Giuseppe Zolli, a devoted Garibaldi soldier who remained committed to protecting his hero even from beyond the grave.
Yes, both statues are still on display in the Biennale Gardens where visitors can admire them while learning about their fascinating legendary history. The bronze statue of Zolli positioned behind Garibaldi's statue serves as a permanent reminder of this unique Venice ghost story.
The Biennale Gardens are accessible year-round, though visiting during the Venice Biennale exhibition periods (typically in odd-numbered years for art and even-numbered years for architecture) offers additional cultural experiences. For the most peaceful viewing of the statues and their ghost story, visit during shoulder seasons in spring or fall when crowds are smaller.

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