Victor Emmanuel II Monument (Vittoriano)

The Basics

The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument (or Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II) overlooking Piazza Venezia in central Rome—also known as the Altare della Patria, or simply the Vittoriano—was inaugurated in 1911 to honor the first king of the newly united Italy. Today, the enormous and, some might argue, ostentatious building is home to Italy’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Museo Centrale del Risorgimento (Museum of Italian Unification), the Sacrario delle Bandiere gallery of Italian military flags, and an important art exhibition space in the eastern wing (Ala Brasini). The Roma dal Cielo elevator, which transports visitors up to the Terrazza delle Quadrighe scenic rooftop terrace, was added in 2007.

Located near the Palatine Hill, the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument is included in many hop-on-hop-off bus tours tours of Rome, as well as guided walking, bike, or Segway tours that also include skip-the-line-access to the nearby Colosseum and Roman Forum. The monument’s white-marble staircase and facade are particularly striking at night, so consider joining an evening tour to see the building at its most dramatic.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Ala Brasini exhibition space, which hosts temporary art exhibitions, is an interesting stop for art enthusiasts.

• The monument is accessible to wheelchair users through the Via del Teatro di Marcello entrance on the right side of the building.

• Bring your camera—you’ll want to capture the views from the monument’s rooftop terrace.

How to Get There

The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument’s three entrances—Piazza Venezia, Via di San Pietro in Carcere on the left side of the building, and Via del Teatro di Marcello on the right—are all easily accessible from Piazza Venezia, one of Rome’s main squares and a transit hub for buses and trams.

When to Get There

The museum complex at the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument is open daily into the evening hours, so visit at the end of a day after the midday crowds have thinned. For the best picture, catch the elevator to the rooftop terrace either first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon.

The Famous (or Infamous) Vittoriano

The Vittoriano has been one of Rome’s most controversial monuments since it was completed at the beginning of the 20th century, both because a historic quarter of the city was destroyed to make room for its construction and because of its pompous architecture. Over the decades, Romans have given the monument a number of unflattering nicknames, including “the typewriter”, “the wedding cake”, “the dentures”, and “the trifle”.

Ways to explore

Visit the Victor Emmanuel II Monument to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, explore the Central Museum of the Risorgimento, or simply admire the site’s imposing architecture and views over Rome. Centrally located near the Palatine Hill, the Vittoriano is included in many hop-on hop-off bus tours of Rome, as well as guided walking, Vespa, and golf cart tours covering the city’s highlights in a few hours. The monument’s white marble staircase and facade are particularly striking at night; join an evening tour to see the building dramatically lit up.

Accessibility

The monument has two wheelchair-accessible entrances, with wheelchairs for rent—one near Santa Maria in Aracoeli and the other at Via del Plebiscito, 118. Both entrances have elevators to the main visiting areas.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, water bottle, guidebook

What to wear

Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing that respects the site’s historic nature.

Not allowed

Smoking, touching or sitting on displays, eating or drinking outside of the cafeteria

Amenities

Restrooms, cafeteria

Address

The Vittoriano is located in central Rome’s Piazza Venezia, with the Roman Forum, Theater of Marcellus, and Doria Pamphilj Gallery a short walk away. It’s convenient to reach on foot, though you can also get there by car or public transportation.

Driving

Unless you have a permit to drive in Rome’s historic center, your best option is to hire a taxi or rideshare to the monument.

Public transportation

The Vittoriano is situated in Piazza Venezia, a transit hub accessible by the 8 tram from Trastevere and several bus lines throughout the city. The closest metro stop is Colosseo, a short ride from the Termini train station on line B.

Best times to visit

Exploring the open-air Vittoriano involves climbing lots of stairs, so go first thing in the morning or in the evening to avoid the midday sun.

Best days to visit

Save money by visiting on the first Sunday of the month, when the monument’s museums offer free admission.

Best months to visit

Visit the Vittoriano from April to May or September to October—you’ll have the best weather to enjoy its outdoor statues and rooftop terrace.

Special events

A highlight of Italy’s Festa della Repubblica celebrations on June 2 is when Italian Air Force planes fly over the monument emitting multicolored smoke in the pattern of the Italian flag.