Cișmigiu Park, one of the oldest and most beloved green spaces in Bucharest, houses a statue with a special significance, charged with emotion and history: “The Romanian Pieta” or “Glory to the French Heroes.” Created by sculptor Ion Jalea in 1920 and inaugurated in 1922, the work is not only a tribute to the sacrifice of the French soldiers who fell on Romanian soil during the First World War, but also an expression of gratitude towards France in a decisive moment for Romania.

A unique work of art in the Bucharest landscape

The statue impresses not only through its size or artistic beauty but also through the story behind it. Ion Jalea, its author, sculpted it with only one hand, after losing his left arm at Mărășești, on the front. 

The fact that he did not give up art but instead created one of the most expressive Romanian sculptures of the 20th century makes this monument a symbol of willpower and absolute dedication.

Romania’s gratitude for its brotherhood of arms with France

To understand why this monument was raised, it is important to look back at the historical context. France played a decisive role in Romania’s modernization and in consolidating its international status. 

From the support offered to the Union of the Principalities in 1859 by Emperor Napoleon III to the military mission led by General Henri Mathias Berthelot during the Great War, France proved to be a faithful ally.

Between 1916 and 1919, hundreds of French officers and soldiers fought and gave their lives on Romanian territory. They contributed decisively to reorganizing the Romanian army and achieving strategic victories. Their sacrifice was not forgotten, and the monument in Cișmigiu expresses the respect and profound bond between the two nations.

On the stone pedestal, 1.67 meters high, there are inscriptions in both Romanian and French, clearly recalling this sacrifice: “To the soldiers of France who fell on the field of honor of Romanian soil during the Great War 1916–1919” and “Aux soldats français tombés au champ d’honneur sur le sol roumain pendant la grande guerre 1916–1919.”

The expressiveness of the sculpture and its symbolism

The statue stands 1.87 meters tall and is carved from Carrara marble, a noble material that emphasizes the solemnity of its message. 

It depicts a young woman bending over the lifeless body of a soldier. Her face emanates compassion and grief, suggesting either the image of the Motherland mourning her heroes, or the personification of death itself, offering the soldier a final gesture of tenderness.

The drapery covering the young woman’s silhouette recalls traditional Romanian folk costumes, while her posture evokes a protective embrace. 

The contrast between the fragility of the girl and the rigidity of the soldier’s body creates a dramatic, emotionally charged scene, reminiscent of Michelangelo’s famous “Pietà,” but reinterpreted in a Romanian key.

This combination of realism and symbolism makes the monument a masterpiece with a profound artistic and spiritual depth, capable of moving people even a century after its inauguration.

The inauguration ceremony and international recognition

The monument was unveiled on October 25, 1922, during an impressive ceremony attended by key figures of the time. Among them were Romania’s Prime Minister Ion I. C. Brătianu, French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, General Weygand, and, of course, General Henri Mathias Berthelot, who had led the French military mission in Romania.

This moment not only reinforced the friendship between the two countries but also established the artistic value of Ion Jalea’s work. As recognition, the sculptor was awarded the Legion of Honor, Knight rank.

The following decades brought further moments of homage. In 1968, during General Charles de Gaulle’s visit to Bucharest, Ion Jalea was once again honored, this time receiving the Legion of Honor in the rank of Officer.

The sculptor’s destiny and the force of his creation

The life of Ion Jalea (1887–1983) is in itself a lesson of courage and perseverance. Losing his left arm on the battlefield could have ended his artistic career, yet for him it became only a challenge. He continued sculpting with one hand, adapting his tools and relying on extraordinary determination.

Throughout his career, Jalea succeeded in creating works of remarkable expressive power, inspired by patriotic and historical themes. The monument in Cișmigiu is just one of his emblematic creations, but it remains the most famous for the universal message it conveys: the sacrifice of heroes and the eternal gratitude of those left behind.

The french military mission and its decisive role

To fully grasp the importance of this monument, one must recall the concrete contribution of the French military mission. Initially composed of only 21 officers, it quickly expanded to include 430 officers and more than 1,000 soldiers.

They played a vital role in reorganizing the Romanian army, providing training, logistics, and strategic planning. Thanks to this support, Romania managed to achieve significant successes in the latter part of the war, despite immense difficulties.

Without the sacrifice and involvement of the French, the Romanian army’s chances would have been far weaker. This is why the statue in Cișmigiu is not just a work of art but also a visual document reminding us of the solidarity between the two peoples.

Cultural impact and symbolic value today

Today, “The Romanian Pieta” remains a point of attraction in Cișmigiu Park, admired by both locals and tourists. Although not as famous as other monuments in the capital, it conveys a universal message, easily understood by anyone: respect for ultimate sacrifice and the power of gratitude.

Over the years, the statue has been restored and carefully preserved, being considered a cultural heritage element of great value. Every detail of the sculpture—from the expressions of the figures to the fluidity of the drapery—adds depth and emotional intensity, making the monument both a work of art and a place of collective memory.

An eternal homage

“The Romanian Pieta” in Cișmigiu Garden is not just a statue, but a lesson in history, solidarity, and humanity. It evokes the sacrifice of French heroes and the creative strength of Ion Jalea, an artist who overcame his physical limits to leave Romania and the world a masterpiece.

Whenever we pass through Cișmigiu and see this sculpture, it is worth pausing for a moment. It is an act of respect not only for the fallen soldiers but also for the artist who, with only one hand but with an immense soul, managed to carve into marble the pain, gratitude, and hope of a nation.

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