This unassuming sculpture is Rome’s most famous ‘talking statue’. During the 16th century, when there were no safe outlets for dissent, a Vatican tailor named Pasquino began sticking notes to the statue with satirical verses lampooning the church and aristocracy. Soon others joined in and, as the trend spread, talking statues popped up all over town.
Until recently, Romans were still writing messages, known as pasquinade, and sticking them to the statue. However, the sculpture is now off-limits and disgruntled Romans have to make do with more contemporary social media.
