The monument to Tullio Campagnolo on Passo Croce d'Aune, where the now legendary flat tire on a freezing cold day inspired him to invent the quick-release.
photo courtesty of the Gran Fondo Campagnolo

Passo Pordoi. "In the shadow of these majestic Dolomite peaks, this bronze tablet will testify forever of the incomparable feats of the greatest cyclist. To Fausto Coppi, il campionissimo.

Monument to Fausto Coppi in Ponte di Piave

Click here to visit the wonderful Fausto Coppi site and see scores of vintage photos.

A close-up of the plaque on the monument above. It reads, "Fausto Coppi, the sportsmen remember you."

Near the Coppi monument stands this little chapel dedicated to "the protectress of cycling." On either side of the Madonna are photos of the Veneto's beloved cycling champions of yesteryear.

A street in Oderzo..."To Fausto Coppi, il campionissimo, authentic and incomparable interpreter of cycling for all times." Signed, "His fans."

"The Cyclist's Temple" in Tempio di Ormelle, (named for a church of the Knights Templar).

The Palazzo Bonaguro in Bassano del Grappa provides a lovely and evocative setting for the bicycle of il campionissimo, Fausto Coppi. It
was part of Bici, Che Passione, an exhibit held in the summer of 2003.

"The Cyclist's Fountain" in Nanto, in the Monti Berici.

"Respect bicycles"

The little shrine above is along the Brenta River Bikeway (but it is bypassed by a new section). A local resident added this stone bearing a charming prayer in rhyme (which sounds better in Italian, of course).

"Oh cyclist
of this beautiful path
Stop to pray
[to] the Virgin Mary (Maria)
that she protect you along the way (via);
[to] Anthony, illustrious saint (santo)
to have lots (tanto) of breath;
and [to] Saint Rita,
to surmount every climb (salita)."

The chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Ciclista, at the top of the Rosina climb. It's the only chapel in Italy conceived and created for this express purpose.

The statue of the Madonna del Ciclista in the Rosina chapel--note the cyclists circling the base of her throne.

Two more monuments still to come!
If you know of any others, please contact me.

A monument to the Madonna del Ciclista at the velodrome in Bassano del Grappa

back to part 1

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