[5] In this speech, the Hero of Two Worlds urged the people of Legnano to erect a monument to commemorate the battle of May 29, 1176, where the communes of the Lombard League defeated Frederick Barbarossa's imperial army.

[...]The Battle of Legnano was rediscovered during the Risorgimento when the desire to drive the Austrians off national land with the ultimate goal of unifying Italy was born.

[3] Later, more careful historical examinations led to the conclusion that the municipalities of the Lombard League involved in the struggle against Barbarossa were not driven by patriotic ferments but had only one goal, that of obtaining greater autonomy from the Holy Roman Empire.

[3] To raise the necessary funds, a national subscription was opened, which yielded the hoped-for result, while sculptor Egidio Pozzi and architect Achille Sfondrini (the latter to design the plinth) were approached to create the work.

[4] A commemorative medal was also minted and a musical composition was written, melody by Beniamino Proverbio and lyrics by Luigi Mensi, recalling the famous battle.

The statue depicts a soldier with a shield in his left hand and a sword raised in his right to symbolize rejoicing at the end of the Battle of Legnano and the defeat of Frederick Barbarossa.