Welcome to the National Monument of Victor Emmanuel the 2nd.
This massive monument, often known as "Il Vittoriano", is dedicated to the unification
of Italy.
More precisely, it honors the first king of the unified Italy; Victor Emmanuel the 2nd.
As King of Sardinia, Victor Emmanuel was a front figure in the movement for a united
Italy.
After his army joined forces with the political and military leader, Guiseppe Garibaldi, they
together defeated the opposing Papal army.
Shortly after this, the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in 1861 with Victor Emmanuel as
king.
Shortly after Victor Emmanuel's death, 17 years later, it was decided to construct a
large monument in his honor.
A design competition was arranged which was eventually won by the young Italian architect
Guiseppe Sacconi.
The designated location for the monument was at the northern slope of the Capitoline Hill
- the central and sacred hill of Ancient Rome.
In order to make room for the monument, several old Roman ruins and medieval churches were
destroyed.
Needless to say, this caused a lot of controversy and debate.
The construction itself took place between 1885 and 1911.
The monument was dedicated on June 4th the same year of its completion.
This was the date for the fiftieth anniversary of the Unification of Italy and the successor,
Victor Emmanuel the 3nd, was present during the inauguration.
The monument was however not fully completed until 1935, when all the statues and sculptures
were in place.
The building was designed by Sacconi in a typical neoclassical style, built around massive
stairways and tall Corinthian columns.
Throughout the monument, you will find statues, sculptures and beautiful relief made by established
sculptors from all over Italy.
The centerpiece of the monument is the huge equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel the 2nd
you have in front of you.
Surrounding the base of this bronze statue, you can find 14 relief statues, each one representing
a historically important Italian city.
Right underneath the equestrian statue, you will see a massive relief.
The whole monument is sometimes called "L'Altare della Patria", but this is actually referring
to this specific part of the monument.
This part is known as "Altare Della Patria" -- the Altar of the Fatherland.
In front you can find an eternal flame, guarded by soldiers, which burns mark the grave of
an unknown soldier from World War One.
The body of the Unknown Soldier was chosen from amongst 11 unknown remains a mother whose
only child was killed during the war.
The grave represents not only this unidentified soldier, but all soldiers who died and whose
bodies never were identified.
On either side of the staircase, you will see the monumental fountains "Due Mari", representing
the two seas surrounding Italy; the Adriatic- and Tyrrhenian Seas.
If you look at the roof of the structure, you will see two more large bronze statues.
These ones depict a quadriga - that is a chariot pulled by four creatures - ridden by the Roman
victory goddess Victoria.
Together, they symbolize the unity and liberty of Italy.
The monument has been highly controversial ever since its construction.
Not only due to the destruction of the old Roman areas in order to make space for the
monument, but also due to the monument itself.
Many regard it as pompous and way too large.
The monument is built in pure white marble from Botticino, making it highly conspicuous
amidst the generally brownish buildings surrounding it.
It is clearly visible from most parts of Rome, despite the fact that it lacks a dome or a
tower and is rather boxy in shape.
This has given the monument several nicknames, such as "the wedding cake" or "the false teeth".
When the Allied troops entered Rome during the Second World War, they labeled it "the
typewriter" -- a nickname which still sticks around today.
However, the monument attracts a large number of visitors each year; this despite all the
criticism and the fact that the monarchy only lasted another thirty years after the completion
of the Vittoriano.
The monument has much to offer, more than just beautiful statues and sculptures.
The 135 meter tall building also provides an excellent observation point.
From the rooftop, you will get an unmatchable overview of the city and its geography.
Another thing not to miss is the museum housed in the base of the monument.
This museum is dedicated to the unification of Italy and is definitely worth a visit if
you have any interest in history.