Located in the Italian Riviera town of Monterosso del Mare is a legendary monument, known as "Il Gigante" (the Giant in english). Built from concrete in 1910 by the well-known Jewish Italian sculptor Arrigo Minerbi, it stands at 14 meters high and is an image of Neptune atop the waves. The statue quickly became a symbol of the town, immortalized in postcards of the era. Unfortunately, Allied bombing runs and rough seas have damaged and disfigured the once mighty monument, but this doesn't stop tourists from marveling at its decayed elegance and admiring its refusal to be completely wiped off the face of the earth. To this day, Il Gigante remains an iconic and beloved part of Monterosso's identity, a reminder of a time gone by and a testament to its resilience.