Italy 1400AD-Present-Modern Era Europe Monuments, landmarks

Altare della Patria | Vittoriano: The white splendor in the heart of Rome

Altare della Patria, Rome, Holiday and Trips
Altare della Patria | Vittoriano
Altare della Patria, also called Il Vittoriano, shines as a grand tribute to the memory of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, turning history into art and white marble into a fascinating story.

Tourist Information

Type Monument | Neoclassical 
Construction year 1911
Visit HoursMonday –Sunday: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm (last admission at 6:45 pm)
25 December and 1 January: closed
Tickets Free entry into the building.
Panoramic lifts:
Adults: 7€.
Youth (aged less than 18) and seniors (aged over 65): 3,50€.
Getting there Car, Metro, Bus
Metro station: Colosseo, line B
Bus: 40 (you can take it from Termini station). Other buses: 44, 84, 780, 810.
Websitehttps://vive.cultura.gov.it/en/
LocationRome, Italy, Europe

Map

What does the Altare della Patria represent?

Altare della Patria is a monument in Rome, Italy that was built to commemorate the unification of Italy in the 19th century. Its historical significance is linked to its role as a symbol of Italian national unity and independence.

The Altare della Patria stands out for its monumental white marble architecture with numerous sculptures and decorative details. It also includes equestrian statues of Victor Emmanuel II and the goddess Victoria, symbolizing victory.

Altare della Patria, Rome
Altare della Patria | Vittoriano

The colossal monument, which is 135 meters wide and 70 meters high, consists of dozens of majestic Corinthian columns and endless staircases, all carved in white marble. The facade is crowned with an equestrian sculpture of Victor Emmanuel cast in bronze and two chariots driven by the goddess Victoria.

Who designed and built this impressive monument?

The monument was designed by the architect Giuseppe Sacconi and built between 1885 and 1925. It was inaugurated in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy.

Why is it called “Il Vittoriano” and what is the story of this name?
“Il Vittoriano” is the popular name of the monument, which comes from the name of King Victor Emmanuel II. This name is frequently used to denote the Altare della Patria and is an expression of respect and recognition of the king’s important role in the unification of Italy.

Are there exhibitions or museums inside the Altare della Patria?

Yes, the Altare della Patria houses the Risorgimento Museum, where visitors can explore exhibits related to the history of Italian unification. There is also an observation deck on the upper level of the monument, which offers impressive panoramic views of Rome.

The main attraction at Il Vittoriano is the glass-walled elevator, called Rome as seen from the sky, and it has superb panoramic views of Rome. One side overlooks most of Rome, with all the domes scattered on the horizon and St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance, while on the other side is the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

Is the building made of marble?

Originally, the Vittoriano was supposed to be made of Carrara marble, but the high cost of this precious material (also used by Michelangelo) made the choice to be Botticino marble (near Brescia), which has shades of yellow.

What not to miss

The statue of King Vittorio Emanuele II

The statue of King Vittorio Emanuele II was made with 50 tons of bronze obtained by fusing the armed cannons of the Kingdom of Italy. The horse is 12 meters long and was transported in pieces and reassembled on-site.

Altare della Patria
Statue of King Vittorio Emanuele II

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Since 1921, the monument has held the tomb of the unknown soldier, built under the statue of the goddess Roma, a place where the eternal flame shines and which is always guarded by two soldiers. The body of the unknown soldier was chosen on October 26, 1921, from the 11 unknown remains by Maria Bergamas, a woman from Gradisca d’Isonzo, whose only child was killed during the First World War. His son’s body was never recovered.

Goddess Roma

The sculpture depicting the Goddess Roma is at the center of the Altar of the Fatherland, a large votive altar dedicated to the Italian nation, designed by the architect Giuseppe Sacconi and decorated between 1911 and 1925 by the artist Giuseppe Zanelli from Brescia. Inside an aedicula with a golden mosaic background, the goddess stands proudly wearing a Roman peplos and goatskin, a helmet and crown with wolf heads, a spear in her right hand, and the statuette of a winged Victory in her left.

Altare della Patria_Rome
Goddess Rome

Few people know that the architect of the monument, Sacconi, almost died of a stroke due to all the abuse he endured to complete the project. To celebrate the unification of Italy and create Altare dela Patria, he intended to reproduce the “Pergamon”, the splendid Greek monument also known as the “ara di Pergamo” (arch of Pergamo) that was discovered and reconstructed in Berlin.

Altare della Patria, Rome
Altare della Patria | Vittoriano

About the author

Catalina

I am Catalina, and my passion for travel, mysteries, legends and archaeology drives me to explore the world and uncover its hidden wonders.