Lugo in Emilia-Romagna and the Ferrari Logo
Why does the Baracca memorial in Lugo in Emilia-Romagna sport a ‘Ferrari logo’?
In the middle of Piazza Baracca in the provincial town of Lugo between Bologna and Ravenna and less than 10 km from Bagnacavallo, you see a 5.7 metre high, petrified man in a jump suit. Behind him, a 27 metres tall pillar or airplane wing towers with, if you look carefully, a Ferrari logo engraved on the side. Where is the connection, I wonder, and after a quick search on the Internet, I have managed to come up with an answer.
A Famous Son
May 1888 a boy named Francesco Baracca was born in Lugo. He grew up among the bourgeoisie and took a military training in the cavalry. Baracca then caught interest in flying, and he became a successful pilot in the Italian Air Force during the First World War. To emphasize the link to his earliest military career, he painted a rearing black horse on his propeller airplane.
The Baracca memorial in the centre of Lugo. The Ferrari logo horse can be seen as a relief on the side of the column.
The Myth Lives On
Baracca partipated in 63 battles and defeated 34 enemy aircraft until June 1918, when he was shot down and killed near Montello in Trieste. But the myth about him and “il cavellino rampant” lived on, aided by Baracca’s parents. In 1923 they met Enzo Ferrari and gave him the rights to use the rearing horse as a logo on his cars.
That is why, the ‘Ferrari logo’ can be found on memorial Baracca in Lugo in Emilia-Romagna. And you can also see it on the Baracca Museum which is housed in the flying hero’s childhood home.
Il cavallino rampante was also featured on Ducati motorcycles in the mid-fifties. Since the Ducati head engineer Taglioni was from Lugo. Some agreement was reached and Ducati droppes using the prancing horse.
What a great spin-off. I love this kind of anecdote that sheds new light on a place:)
Glad I clicked on your link. I just thought the prancing horse had something to do with fast race horses. Thank you for your educational and interesting posts.
My pleasure:)