Wolf sculpture installed on Gediminas' Hill, linking Vilnius and Rome

A new sculpture titled "Wolf" by contemporary Italian artist Davide Rivalta now graces the observation deck of Gediminas' Hill in Vilnius, Lithuania. The bronze artwork, a realistic depiction of a wolf, symbolically bridges Vilnius and Rome, two capitals intertwined with wolf legends in their origin stories.

The wolf holds a significant place in the mythology of both cities. Rome's founding is famously linked to the she-wolf that nursed Romulus and Remus, while Vilnius's origins trace back to Grand Duke Gediminas's dream of an iron wolf, a vision that prompted him to establish the city.

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The idea of placing a sculpture 'Wolf' by one of Italy's most prominent contemporary artists, Davide Rivalta, on the hill named after the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, reinterpreting the legends of the founding of Vilnius and Rome, is a significant sign of the continuity of Italian artistic and cultural heritage in Lithuania.

Rivalta's sculpture not only complements the historical landscape but also serves as a reminder that urban identity is shaped not just by architecture but also by narratives, symbols, and collective memory. It has been integrated into the Lithuanian National Museum's collection, enriching the historical narrative presented on Gediminas' Hill.

The project, initiated by the Italian Embassy in Vilnius and the Lithuanian National Museum, with support from various Italian cultural bodies and local partners, underscores the enduring cultural dialogue between Italy and Lithuania. Italian Ambassador Emanuele de Maigret highlighted the long-standing cultural ties, noting the sculpture's significance in continuing the legacy of Italian artistic and cultural heritage in Lithuania, dating back to Roman times and the Amber Road trade routes.

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This project is an important event marking both the 35th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Italy and the Year of Italian and Lithuanian Culture, during which numerous cultural events have been held in both countries, further strengthening the ties between our nations.