Made of white marble, also known as Allegoria di Messina, the statue was made in 1852 by Giuseppe Prinzi and named Messina Riconoscente pel benefizio del portofranco (Messina that says thanks for the benefit of the free port) in order to celebrate the Decree made by Ferdinand II of Bourbon that gave the free port to the city by lifting the state of siege. The king probably gave the benefit to win back the trust of the people after having bombed the city during the revolution of 1848. The statue has the emblems of commerce and, in the right hand, the Royal Decree. Since 1973 it has been placed in Largo Minutoli, in front of the Municipality building. Before the earthquake of 1908, it was stored in the interior of the old Municipality building. In front of the sea, every day, it welcomes cruise passengers.