Description

Essentials about the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument in brief

Whatever elevated location you may occupy in Rome, this structure stands out from all directions and literally draws the eye: the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (“Victor Emmanuel II National Monument”). It is the national monument of Italy dedicated to the first king of the newly founded kingdom, Vittorio Emanuele II. The “Vittoriano”, as it is usually called only in its short form, is located at the southern end of Piazza Venezia, between Trajan’s Forum and the Capitoline Hill.

The history of the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument

King of Sardinia and victor over the Austrian army in Lombardy, Victor Emmanuel became a symbol of the Risorgimento, the movement for a united Italy. After his army joined forces with the independence fighter Garibaldi and defeated the papal army, the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in 1861, with Vittorio Emanuele as its first king. On the occasion of his death in 1878, it was decided to erect a monument. Erected from 1885, the then unfinished monument was inaugurated on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the unification of Italy in 1911. The final completion took place only in 1927.

The architecture of the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument

General information

The Vittorio Emanuele II National Monument has gigantic dimensions. It is 70 meters high, 135 meters wide and 130 meters deep. To make room for this “monster,” medieval arches, towers, churches, palaces and entire streets were removed in an unprecedented demolition frenzy in the 1880s. The gigantomania of the structure reflects the nationalist mood of the time.

The lower part of the monument

The monument consists of a large flight of steps leading to a massive portico. To the right and left of the main entrance are two fountains, emblematic representations of the two seas bordering Italy. The left fountain represents the Adriatic Sea and the right one the Tyrrhenian Sea. In the center of the monument is the colossal equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel, the “Father of the Nation”. The statue, 12 meters long, weighs 50 tons. It rests on a pedestal with allegorical reliefs representing Italian cities. At the foot of the statue is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, inaugurated in 1921. Alternating honor guards from the Navy, Infantry and Air Force flank the eternal flame day and night.

The upper part of the monument

The upper part of the monument consists of a massive curved portico with columns 15 meters high, which are framed on both sides by small temple-like wings with a classical front. The design of the portico was probably inspired by the double portico of the Domus Augustae, which overlooked Circus Maximus in ancient times. Inside, the portico is decorated with wall paintings. The frieze at the top is decorated with statues symbolizing the regions of Italy. Two bronze quadrigas crown the monument, each with a statue of a winged goddess of victory. The quadriga on the right represents freedom, while the one on the left represents unity. However, they were added only in 1927, 16 years after the monument was inaugurated.

The interior of the monument

Inside the monument there are large rooms, some of which are used for exhibitions and others house the Museo del Risorgimento, which documents the history of the unification of Italy through paintings, documents, photographs and other memorabilia.

Visiting the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument

The National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II is certainly the most controversial building in Rome. Its critics consider it too monumental and its (over)bright white color does not match the earthy tones of Rome. Because of this, the monument has been given many nicknames, ranging from “typewriter” to “wedding cake” and “luxury urinal” to “old aunt’s dentures”.

However you may feel about it, the monument is still worth a visit, if only for the great view from the viewing platforms. The top of the monument is also connected to Capitol Square. So you can save yourself the further climb up the Capitoline Hills and to the Capitoline Museums.

Website

Unavailable.

Opening hours

Admission fees

Monument (middle observation deck) and museum:

Free

Upper observation deck (incl. ride with the panorama elevator):

Adults: €7.00

Teenagers Ages (Ages 10 – 18): €3.50

Children (Ages 9 and under): free

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Metro line B: Stop Cavour or Colosseo

Bus lines 40, 46, 51, 60, 63, 64, 70, 80, 83, 85, 118, 119, 160, 170, 628, 916, 916F, F10, H, nMC, nME, n5, n8, n11, n70, n90, n98, n201, n543, n716, n904 and n913: Stop P.za Venezia

Tram line 8: Stop Venezia

By car:

There are no parking garages in the immediate vicinity of the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument.