Piazza Venezia, Rome

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Favorite thing: When in Rome make sure to go to Piazza Venezia. See the awesome and imposing building in the middle of the Piazza named il Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II. Vittorio Emanuele II was united Italy's first king. The monument was started in 1885 and was finished in 1911. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is also found here. Palazzo Venezia, which is the brown building across the street from the monument, was the residence of Mussolini and he used to hold his speeches from the balcony. The piazza is centrally located at the end of Via del Corso. In the piazza you will also find buses that go to every part of Rome. Climb the steps next to the monument and see the gigantic sculptures that sit at the top of the steps. You can also enter the Roman Forum, which is behind the monument, from here.

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Favorite thing: Piazza Venezia is probably the most visited square of Rome. It starts where the heart of ancient Rome used to be. The monumental Il Vittoriano dominates the whole square catching visitor's attention in approaching to the square.
Il Vittoriano, as coloquially called, is the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, the King of Italy, and was built during Musollini era.

Favorite thing: Women travelling to work on their Vespa inspired me to buy one for my husband a couple of years ago. He enjoys doing short errands on it around our village. I'm disappointed that it's too heavy for me to ride. It looked so easy when these Italian women did it. Not sure I'd have the guts to ride one in the city streets the way those Italians drive. Yikes!

Favorite thing: For sure, you will not miss Piazza Venezia and Memorial. This is the place of memory, and you should respect rules – not to sit on the stairs, not to eat, not to drink anything (even water), and not to smoke.

Favorite thing: At one of the most busy trafficsquares of Rome you find this huge white marble building, also called The Weddingcake.

The building is build to honour Italian's first king between 1885 and 1911 and designed by Giuseppe Sacconi.

The building is now also the grave of the unknown soldier.
Altare della Patria.

Favorite thing: One of the most difficult monuments for me to photograph was The Victor Emmanuel Monument. I remember standing in one spot forever and realizing suddenly that unless I got closer, I was never going to be able to complete this task.

I dodged traffic (an unsafe activity) and finally made it close enough. Then, every time I thought it would be perfect, a Tourist Bus would block my view.

Even though it is not a good view, I did accomplish what I set out to do.

Fondest memory: Some books say that this Victor Emmanuel Monument was erected to celebrate Italian independence. Others say that it was erected to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first King of Unified Italy.

The monumentt was begun in 1885 and inaugurated in 1911.

I really was not so interested in what it was as much as how it looked. The bas-relief work was incredible, and the closer I got, the more awed I was. I also was impressed with the statues at the right and left roofs of the horses and the winged maiden.

All in all, this monument to Victor Emmanuel II is one that I always associate with our trips to Rome.

Fondest memory: il Vittoriano venne ideato all’indomani della presa di Roma, quando la città divenne Capitale d’Italia e c’era la voglia di rendere moderna una città che doveva essere il simbolo stesso del passaggio da uno Stato all’altro.

VITTORIANO was created after the conquest of rome, when the town became the capital of Italy and it is a symbol of this passage.

Favorite thing: The Piazza Venezia with Vittorio backing her up is in my opinion a splendid hot spot, for from here you may start your various walking tours within the centro storico...

Fondest memory: the white stones, marble amongst others, of the huge complex around the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II are on clear sunny day blinding - mind your sun glasses : )