IL VITTORIANO
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Monument built in homage to the Italian unity, one of the most imposing monuments of Rome.
Rome has long been the capital of architectural audacity. The Vittoriano (more commonly known as Altare della patria, the "Altar of the Fatherland") is one of the most imposing monuments in the Italian capital. Built as a tribute to Italian Unity (remember that Italy was unified only in 1861, it was previously divided into different kingdoms) and in memory of King Victor Emmanuel II, the work began in 1885 and was only completed in 1911. The architect Giuseppe Sacconi won the contract with his project. Inspired by the altar of Pergamon kept in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, the monument in white marble of Botticino required the destruction of an entire medieval quarter to be erected. Rich in symbolism, the lateral friezes representing the cities of Italy were made by the sculptor Eugenio Maccagnani; Enrico Chiarada made the large equestrian statue of the monarch. The unknown soldier stands in the center of the building, surrounded on the right and left by two fountains representing the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas. The Romans have given this huge building several nicknames, the most famous of which are the "typewriter" and the "wedding cake".
Beneath the imposing typewriter of the Vittoriano is the Risorgimento historical museum, to learn more about this pivotal period in Italian history, and a hub of temporary exhibitions, among the most important in the city. A glass elevator leads to the top, to the terraces.
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