Monumento Vittorio Emmanuel, Rome

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The lower part of the Vittoriano monument with access by a stair case from Piazza Venezia is the "Altare della Patria" i.e. the grave of an unknown soldier from WW I. The body of the Unknown Soldier was chosen on 26 October 1921 from among 11 unknown remains by Maria Bergamas whose only child was killed during World War I. Her son's body was never recovered.
Above stands the colossal equestrian statue of King Victor Emmanuel II.
The flame is guarded by two soldiers called "il Picchetto d'Onore" (Guard of honnor).
Visitors should be aware that sitting or picnicking on the stairs in front of this patriotic monument is prohibited as well as familiarities with the guards (they are not Mickey's from Disneyland!).

My visit happened on a day with heavy rain showers so that the two guards were wearing a camouflage poncho protecting them partially from the rain. They were keeping a lance in the hand and wearing a black beret so that I supposed they were Lancers from an armored regiment. It has been a military custom in W. Europe after WW I to have Cavalry becoming armored forces and often wearing a black beret which started I think in the UK.

I asked a third soldier who makes rounds of inspection to what regiment the Picchetto d'Onore belonged and he answered "Lancieri di Montebello" and added "Granatieri" and showed very proudly his shoulder badge with the emblem with four heads of blindfolded black men (testa di moro bendata) and the grenade which belongs to the "Granatieri (Grenadiers) di Sardegna" an elite Italian infantry regiment that goes back to 1852.
What left me puzzled because I didn't understand why Lancers did wear the badge of the Grenadiers? That soldier spoke only Italian so that it was after some search that I found out that these Lancers of Montebello standing there in the rain belonged to the Mechanized Brigade of the Sardinian Grenadiers - Brigata "Granatieri di Sardegna" (garrison Rome) made up of the 1st Regiment "Granatieri di Sardegna", the armored Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" and the Regiment of Artiglieria terrestre "Acqui".

Has this review any interest for the "lambda tourist"? Probably less than the fact that the City of Rome has chased away from the Colosseo the centurions and other antic roman legionnaires who were earning, according to them, 50 - 100 €/day from tourists having a photo token with them.
Photos in front of the Pichetto d'Onore with elite soldiers are still free.

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It seems that Italians don't have very nice things to say about this monument, usually calling it a wedding cake or a typewriter. This gigantic (135x70 meters) slab of marble was completed in 1925 and honors united Italy's first king, Victor Emmanuel of the House of Savoy.

Below the sculpture representing Italy is the Tomb of the Unknown Solider which holds an unknown from World War I.

There is also the mounted statue of Victor Emmanuel at the center.

In 2000 it was reopened to the public, free of charge.

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This poor monument to the first king of a unified Italy is as big on controversy as it is on bulk. Construction of this behemoth about a century ago involved cutting into a good section of Capitoline Hill - at the expense of well-preserved medieval ruins - and its enormous facade of pure-white marble is judged by many to be gaudy and pretentious next to the muted colors and smaller scale of the structures around it. Michelangelo would cringe to see this overblown neighbor next to his elegant, perfectly proportioned Piazza del Campidoglio.

Its location on the ancient acropolis - over the previous remains of a papal villa - visibility, sheer size and defiant facing toward the general direction of the Vatican also created a intentionally pointed challenge to the dominant power of state over church. Indeed, it even has an altar, ’Altare della Patria or ‘Altar of the Fatherland’ to further accentuate that point. Fascist Dictator Mussolini adopted the pile as a symbol of totalitarian strength, and the piazza - where his headquarters were also located - as a favorite staging ground for fiery speeches, parades and rallies. As part of his revolutionary building program he also ordered the creation of the grand avenue, Via dei Fori Imperiali, that runs from the Colosseum and Forum to the Vittoriano as a symbolic link of old Roman power to new.

Although it has a free museum highlighting the history of unification and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, what this monument does best is offer stupendous viewing from its upper terraces. Access the first (and free) one from inside the building and up several flights of stairs: just follow everyone else. There is a large cafe on this level as well as restrooms - the 'pay the attendant' type - and great views of the Rome. For a REAL eyeful, buy a ticket here (7 euro) for the glass elevator to the very top terrace and a panorama of the Eternal City that will take your breath away.

As there are other excellent overlooks of Rome, this can be a skip if time is short but at least give the free terrace a go if you're visiting Capitoline Hill and aren't in a hurry. The pile is also impressively lit at night and good for an evening walk-by. Do be aware that this is one of those places where you don't want to sit on steps, lean on the columns, smoke, roughhouse, eat or drink (except in the cafe), etc. The guards will blow nasty little whistles at you if you don't display the proper amount of reverence.

Monument info:
http://www.060608.it/en/cultura-e-svago/beni-culturali/beni-architettonici-e-storici/monumento-a-vittorio-emanuele-ii-vittoriano.html

Elevator:
http://www.060608.it/en/cultura-e-svago/beni-culturali/beni-architettonici-e-storici/ascensori-panoramici-e-terrazza-del-complesso-del-vittoriano.html

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This monument is visible from many places in central Rome and we used it as a marker for navigating about the city.
This is a monument built in honour of Victor Emanuel, the first king of a unified Rome and is also home to the tomb of the unknown soldier, where an eternal flame is always burning. The soldier buried here was chosen from 11 unidentified bodies by a lady who had lost her only son in battle. He was buried here in a state funeral on the 4th November 1921.
The momument has received much criticism and has been called both the wedding cake and the typewriter as it is thought to be a little ostentatious. It also stands out as it is bright white and doesn't really blend in with the other buildings - all the same it certainly is grand and worth a look and there is an excellent lift to a viewing platform - even on a rainy day the views are good. There is a pictoral guide which details all the buildings that you can see.

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This monument has been likened to a giant typewriter and a giant wedding cake. It was built to commemorate the unifiction of Italy. It is unpopular because building it resulted in destroyig several important sights and it changed the shape of the Capitoline Hill. You can go up to the top by elevator for 7Euro. I got onto the lower free viewing platform from the Church of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli. There were great views from here.

The other thing we liked about this sight was it was a great landmark for finding your way. We encountered it every time we got lost and immediately knew where we were.

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The white marble monument at the Piazza Venezia, abutting the northern slope of the Capitoline Hill, the 'Il Vittoriano', is a triumphal symbol to the Unification of Italy (1848-1871). It was inaugurated on the 50th anniversary of the new kingdom in 1911.The monument is a tribute to Victor Emmanuel II, proclaimed as the first King of a unified Italy in 1861.

A huge equestrian statue (40 ft; 12 m) of Victor Emmanuel II dominates the skyline with a wide expanse of stairs leading to the top. Behind the statue there are more than 20 columns (50 ft; 15 m) supporting another part of the monument with two mammoth quadrigae. At the bottom of the monument is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The monument is not in consonance with the existing architecture all around this piazza but you cannot ignore it as it stands smack in the middle of such delightful sights as the Campidoglio, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. It may be known derisively as a 'typewriter' and a 'wedding cake'; it may be bustling with activity and traffic all around; it may not be the best place to relax or for peace and quiet but the structure is one that will instantly catch your eye. Also, your climb to the top is doubly rewarded - the view is fantastic and the Capitoline Hill is just behind the monument. If you do not like the trek up, you can always take the elevator.

From the top of the monument you will be able to see the Palazzo Venezia built between 1455 and 1464 by Cardinal Pietro Barbo (Pope Paul II). Next is the Palazzo Generali, built between 1906 and 1911 and by its side is the Palazzo Bonaparte, named after Leticia Bonaparte, mother of Emperor Napoleon I who was granted asylum by Pope Pius VII. After the collapse of her son's Empire, she took up residence here till her death in 1836.

First Written: Nov. 01, 2012

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There are several accesses to the Vittoriano but best is to start by the gate at the front on Piazza Venezia. On left and right are the monumental fountains "Due Mari" of the two seas Adriatic and Tyrrhenian.
Once you start climbing the stairs you will see on the sides the six statues representing the "I Valore degli Italiani" the Italian Values and in front of you the Altare Della Patria. A flame guarded by soldiers burns on this front terrace to mark the grave of an unknown soldier from WW I. Above it is the colossal equestrian statue of King Victor Emmanuel II.
On the right side of the Altar of the Fatherland you can enter the building itself and climb by another monumental staircase to the Museum of the Risorgimento and to the terrace on the right and back side of the Vittoriano. From this terrace you can enter the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli which is at the same level showing how the Vittoriano was built at the expense of the Capitoline hill.

From here visitors have access to a glass lift installed in 2007 to take paying visitors (7 €, reduced 3,50 €) up to the very top the "Quadriga's" terrace. As there was a queue at the elevator I remained on this intermediate terrace where there is a self service cafeteria. From this (free) terrace one has already exceptional views on the Foro di Cesare, Foro and Mercato Traiano with the Torre delle Milizie in the back and on the right the Colosseum. This intermediate terrace with a cafeteria is really a good place to have a rest and unforgettable views on Rome. One can also reach this terrace by the principal entrance to the Museo del Risorgimento (free entry) at Via di San Pietro in Carcere.

I like to say that despite all the criticism about this monument, the Vittoriano attracts a large number of visitors because it is a fantastic view point over the city of Rome. Don't hesitate to climb the stairs.

The Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II) or Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) is a monument built to honour Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill.
The monument was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885; sculpture for it was parceled out to established sculptors all over Italy, such as Leonardo Bistolfi and Angelo Zanelli. It was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1935.

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It happens by the circumstances that I'm somewhat more interested in military history than others so that when I enter the Vittoriano by the steps climbing to the "Altare della Patria" I look at who is on guard at the Unknown Soldier Tomb. On my recent visit it were the Lancers of Montebello belonging to the Brigata "Granatieri di Sardegna" a mechanized brigade with HQ and garrison in Rome.

It might sound as a paradox but these Grenadiers from Sardinia are fulfilling an important number of Guards of Honor in Rome. Not only at the Vittoriano monument but also at the Senato della Repubblica at Palazzo Madama. They are often participating dressed in their historical uniform to parades. I know a bit of their history because a member of the family of my wife served as reserve officer at the Granatieri. Being a tall man he was often appointed as officer of guard at the Senate.

What I find special is the very distinguishable symbol on the left arm of their jacket (see photo). The badge with four blindfolded Moors heads is the symbol of the Grenadiers and represents the old flag of Sardinia. Its origins are linked to events in the history of Sardinia and represent four most important victories won by the population of the Island Sardinia over the Saracens.
The Sards celebrated their victories by cutting of the heads of the 4 Emirs who commanded the invading troops, maybe after blindfolding them. I noted that Corsica has the same emblem with one Moor head but not blindfolded!

The historical banner of the Sards was substituted by the Italian tricolor in 1848 but is still worn as shoulder badge with addition of a grenade by the regiments of the Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna" including the "Lancieri di Montebello" (ref my previous tip) and the Regiment of Artillery "Acqui".

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The Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II) or Altare della Patria (Altar of the Motherland) or "Il Vittoriano" is a monument built to honour Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, located in Rome, Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill.

The monument was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885; sculpture for it was parceled out to established sculptors all over Italy, such as Leonardo Bistolfi and Angelo Zanelli. It was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1935.

The monument is built of white marble from Botticino, Brescia, and features stairways, Corinthian columns, fountains, an equestrian sculpture of Victor Emmanuel and two statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas. The structure is 135m wide and 70m high. If the quadrigae and winged victories are included, the height is to 81 m. The base of the structure houses the museum of Italian Reunification. In 2007, a panoramic elevator was added to the structure, allowing visitors to ride up to the roof for 360 degree views of Rome.

One of the "must see" spots of Rome ... :)