In the charming seaside town of Pesaro, nestled along Italy’s Adriatic coast, there stands an enigmatic and striking sculpture that has become an emblem of the city, commonly known as: the “Palla di Pomodoro.” This monumental bronze sphere is the work of acclaimed Italian sculptor, Arnaldo Pomodoro who passed away around this time last year, at the age of 98.
Arnaldo Pomodoro stands as one of Italy’s most distinguished and visionary contemporary sculptors. Born in 1926, in Morciano di Romagna, Italy, Pomodoro and his family relocated to Pesaro, during World War II. It was in Pesaro that Pomodoro first began to experiment earnestly with visual art, drawing inspiration from the town’s classical heritage and the rolling hills of the Marche region. He studied surveying and technical drawing, disciplines that honed his precision and gave him an appreciation for geometry—a sensibility that would permeate his mature work.
The Genesis of the Sphere
Pomodoro’s work is immediately recognisable, characterised by a profound engagement with geometry—especially the sphere—and a fascination with the dialogue between smooth, perfect surfaces and ruptured, chaotic interiors. His most iconic series, “Sfere” (“Spheres”), are monumental bronze orbs whose flawless exteriors are disrupted by jagged fissures.
The “Sfera Grande” in Pesaro, poised at the edge of the Adriatic, is among the most celebrated of these. Its polished bronze shell gleams in the sunlight, yet its fractured side hints at a world within: cogs, lattices, and mysterious forms that suggest both the order of science and the unpredictability of nature. This interplay of outer harmony and internal complexity is central to Pomodoro’s vision—he invites viewers to contemplate what lies beneath the surface, both in art and in life.
Pomodoro’s spheres can be found gracing public spaces around the globe, from the courtyard of the Vatican Museums in Rome to the United Nations Plaza in New York, Trinity College in Dublin, and the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. Each sculpture, though unique, shares a thematic kinship: the contrast between the cosmic and the mechanical, the timeless and the contemporary.
Broader Contributors & Legacy
Beyond his celebrated spheres, Pomodoro’s body of work encompasses columns, pyramids, reliefs, and stage designs for opera and theatre. He has collaborated with major directors and institutions, bringing his vision to the dramatic arts and public spaces. His public installations are not merely objects in space; they interact with their environment, inviting passer-by’s to reflect on the interplay between art, architecture and daily life.
Recognition & Ongoing Relevance
Throughout his career, Pomodoro has received numerous accolades, including the Praemium Imperiale for Sculpture (1990). Pomodoro passed away on 22 June 2025, at the age of 99 years. At nearly a century old, Pomodoro continued to create, his art a testimony to the enduring power of imagination and the endless possibilities of form.
Let us show you Pesaro and it surrounds on our exclusive small group tours
We have a number of small group journeys that visit Pesaro and the surrounding breath-taking locations in Le Marche Region such as our Highlights of Le Marche, Corners of Le Marche and Opera & Food – Rossini Festival. Small group tours are designed for slow immersive travel with a maximum of 16 travellers. You will have the opportunity to view and admire the world-renowned sculpture, Palla di Pomodoro in Pesaro, as well as take in a truly authentic Italian experience in a regional centre off the mass tourist trail. Le Marche boasts lovely beaches, historical hill-top villages, artisan treasures and beautiful landscapes, it is a Region that has everything and more!
If independent travel is more your style, allow Vita Italian Tours with our decades of experience living, studying and touring in Italy to plan a tailor-made self-drive or chauffeur driven private itinerary/tour for you to the city of Pesaro, and the wider region of Le Marche. We are the Le Marche specialists.
Contact us and start planning your adventure today.
