Victor Emmanuel II Monument

Before delving into the Roman Empire and meeting historical figures like Caesar and Augustus, we should first say hello to the man credited with unifying Italy: Victor Emmanuel II, the so-called “Father of the Fatherland.” You’re now looking at an equestrian statue of him and just from the sheer size of this monument, you can definitely tell that he’s a pretty big deal here! He was in fact the first king of unified Italy! Italy as we know it today has only existed since the end of the 19th century. The Italian peninsula is actually made up of various independent provinces that were gradually merged together during the so-called Unification of Italy, led by three key figures: Cavour, Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel II. In 1861, representatives from all over Italy, with the exception of Rome and the Papal States, met in Turin to vote for the creation of the Kingdom of Italy. The Italians seized Rome on September 20, 1870, and the city was annexed to the new Kingdom of Italy by referendum on October 2. After Turin and Florence, Rome became the new capital, for obvious historical and symbolic reasons. But the dissolution of the Papal States was a major setback for the Holy See and led to a long-standing dispute between the Church and the State, known as the Roman Question. It was only resolved with the signing of the Lateran Pacts in 1929, which established the Vatican City State. The monument before you was thus built to honor the memory of King Emmanuel. It’s gigantic and can be seen from afar. You can use it to find your bearings, no matter where you are. It was unveiled in 1911 and stands 135 metres wide and 70 metres high, adorned with dozens of Corinthian columns and staircases. Yet it has been the subject of much debate and controversy. For one thing, they had to demolish a number of important sites to make room for it. On top of that, the Romans felt that this huge white marble structure was out of place next to the ancient Roman Forum. They nicknamed it “the Typewriter.” Mussolini almost had it demolished. In any case, whether we like it or not, this monument is now one of Rome’s must-sees. It houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its eternal flame – a tribute to all those who lost their lives in battle. You’ll also find a museum here, dedicated to the unification of Italy. Plus, you can pay a small fee and take an elevator up to the rooftop terrace for stunning panoramic views of Rome, the Forum and the Colosseum.