- the very popular monument to Vittorio Emanuele II
A large chunk of Capitoline Hill was destroyed to build Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II to honour the first king of a unified Italy. The huge building stands white and proud between Piazza Venezia and Capitoline Hill, right in the centre of Rome. It was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885, inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1935. Its gleaming white Brescia marble shines in the Italian sun.
white marble gleaming in the sun
Vittorio Emaneule II sitting astride his horse is the largest equestrian statue in Europe. The bronze sculpture is 12 metres long and weighs 50 tons. The horse’s hoof is half a metre deep and the moustache is reputed to be 3 metres long. On the day the horse was put into position 21 workers celebrated by installing a long table to eat their lunch inside the belly. Vittorio Emanuele II was apparently a modest man. I wonder what he would have made of this monument.
Vittorio on his horse
the largest equestrian statue in Europe
the moustache is 3 metres long
The building has always offered wonderful views across Rome from its many terraces, but in 2007 a glass lift was installed at the back of the building which takes you all the way to the top for an unrivalled view of the city and surrounds. For 7 euro you get a great view of the nearby colusseum, the roof of the Pantheon, the entire length of Via del Corso, the Vatican and so much more.
the glass lift takes you to the top
Once you get to the top you can stay as long as you like. The views are incredible and there are telescopes available to bring the sights closer.
the viewing platform at the top
It seems that you an see all of Rome from the top.
looking towards the Colusseum
closer
the forum
looking down Via del Corso
the roof of the Pantheon
looking towards the Vatican
Vittorio from above
The sculptures on the monument are spectacular up close.
amazing sculpture
the other side
the horses
a tiny cloud in the distance
up close
There are several museums in the building well worth a visit. We particularly liked the immigration museum which gives a detailed and very moving account of Italian migration.
There is lots to see in and around this incredible monument to united Italy’s first king.
beautiful sculptures on high
another beautiful sculpture
