Truck Driver Destroys Medieval Statue in Padova

La Gatta di Sant'Andrea (the Female Cat of St. Andrew), also known as "La Gatta", a monument of medieval origin placed in the little churchyard of St. Andrew in Padua, was destroyed Monday by a truck. The driver, who was on his way to deliver goods at a nearby shop, accidentally backed up too far and hit the statue destroying "la gatta". According to Padua mayor Ivo Rossi, the truck had no permits to drive in that zone and the square is a pedestrian-only area. The statue, beyond its artistic value, was one of the most beloved monuments by Padua residents and was famous for representing the highest point of the city. It was originally intended to represent a stone lion that had been taken as a war trophy from the castle of Este in 1209 by local residents. When the lion, at the end of the conflicts, was returned to the Rocca d'Este, the Padovani made ​​a copy. However, it was considered too minute to represent a lion and it was nicknamed "la gatta" (the female cat). After being damaged several times, in 1989 it had been reassembled by a Paduan sculptor. Years ago, a truck hit the column, but did not tear it down.