In the summer of 2012, a monument to the Russian emperor was erected in the popular resort town of Taormina in Sicily. In June of the same year, a bust of Nicholas II appeared in the central park of Taormina, considered the most prestigious resort on the island. The initiative for the installation came from a member of the city council, Dino Papale, and the idea belonged to the Foundation of Slavic Writing and Culture, with the support of the Center for National Glory and the Foundation of Andrew the First-Called.

The author of the monument is sculptor Vyacheslav Klykov. Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra often visited Taormina for treatment. The fresh mountain air of Sicily had a beneficial effect on the health of their son, Tsarevich Alexei. However, Nicholas II's merit in Italy was not only in this.

In December 1908, a powerful earthquake struck the city of Messina in Sicily, claiming the lives of more than 70,000 people. The number of victims could have been even higher if it were not for the help of Russian sailors. At that time, the Russian squadron, which included the battleships "Tsarevich" and "Slava" and the cruiser "Admiral Makarov," was conducting exercises off the coast of Sicily. The cadets from the cruiser "Admiral Makarov" rescued the residents of Messina, pulling them from the rubble. It is noteworthy that an English cruiser was also in the strait, but its crew was slow to assist the victims. Only a day later, that is, two days after the earthquake, did the English join the rescue efforts.

The order to help the Sicilians was given by Nicholas II, who instructed that any necessary support be provided to the Italians. It was for this reason that a bust was erected in Taormina. Nicholas II acknowledged that the Russian sailors in Italy accomplished in a few days what he and his diplomats could not achieve in years.