"Pasquino" is the most famous of the "talking statues" in Rome and symbolises the great sense of humor of the Romans. Actually Pasquino is a very badly preserved torso of a 3rd century BC figure, discovered in the fifteenth century near an old barber shop whose owner was called Pasquino.

The statue stands in a small square just behind Piazza Navona, called Piazza Pasquino. Since 1501 this statue has talked. Late at night the barber would post satirical posters arguing against the arrogance and corruption of the government, and especially the pope, on Pasquino. In the morning everyone could read these political statements before they were taken away by the police.

The posters with poems and jokes were called "pasquinate", and even today Pasquino is always decorated with satirical messages referring to the current ruling class. The authors, of course, remain unknown.