Victor Emmanuel II Monument

The Victor Emmanuel II Monument, often called the Vittoriano or Altare della Patria, is a large white-marble national monument in central Rome built in honor of Italy’s first king. Construction began in the late 19th century and the complex was finished and adapted through the early 20th century.

A series of broad stairways, terraces and colonnades form the monument’s most visited parts; an upper panoramic terrace offers wide views over Piazza Venezia, the Capitoline Hill and nearby parts of the historic centre. The monument includes large sculptural groups and a monumental equestrian statue that dominate its central axis.

Designed by Giuseppe Sacconi and built from the 1880s onward, the structure was intended as a national memorial and has been adapted over time to house exhibitions and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tomb and eternal flame were installed after World War I and remain an important element of the site.

Sited between Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill in central Rome, the monument sits within walking distance of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum and is served by multiple tram and bus lines.

• Panoramic access: An elevator provides access to the upper terraces for wide views across central Rome; early morning and late afternoon are best to avoid the largest crowds.
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: The central crypt contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame, placed there in 1921.

What to See #

• Terraces: Terraces and panoramic viewpoints accessible by elevator with views over Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum and surrounding streets.
• Altar and Tomb: Main hall and altar area that houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame installed after World War I.
• Equestrian statue and staircases: Equestrian statue and grand staircases that form the monument's central sculptural axis and public approach.