Statue of Esdras

On the south side, that is, to the right of the staircase, we find the figure of Esdras, who represents a venerable priest holding in his left hand a cup, on which is a bread covered by his right hand. It evokes, therefore, the construction of the House of the Lord and at The Last Supper when Christ offered his body and blood in the form of wine and bread.

The inscription, located in the usual place, but surrounded by always different sculptural motifs, is of the following apocalytic content: «PANEM ET NON DERELINQUAS IN THE SICUT PASTOR IN MEDIO LUPORUM», translated: «prove the bread, and do not abandon us, as the shepher, in the midst of the wolves», a metaphor alluding to spiritual food.