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This monument is stunning. Love that you can climb up to the too and take in the views of the surroundings. Lots of steps though, so be prepared! The detail of the architecture is phenomenal. It can get busy, as we visited in the middle of the afternoon. Still very worth to pay a visit, especially if you're in the area! It's next to many other activities and shops too
This was a huge monument that my friend and I stumbled upon while wandering around Rome. We had no idea what it was, but we took some photos and looked it up later. Apparently, it was built to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified and independent Italy until his death in 1878. The monument looks like something you would see in Washington DC and it is almost comical how large it actually is. Definitely an interesting sight to behold in person.
The one landmark dominating Piazza Venezia is Il Vittoriano, a monument dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy. The construction of the immense white marble monument - built on the side of the Capitoline Hill - in the early twentieth century completely changed the Victor Emmanuel II Monument appearance of the square, which at the same time was drastically enlarged. At the front of the monument stands a large bronze statue of Emmanuel and many other stone sculptures. The front facade features a row of ornate columns and is also highly decorated. At the base of the monument, there is also an interesting museum that is dedicated to the unification of Italy and the early years of its history. You can enter free. It's commonly called "The Wedding Cake" and "The Typewriter" by critics who protest its ostentatious design and its incongruity with the city's architecture. isn't it interesting...haha.. The two fountains at either end of the monument represent the seas surrounding the Italian peninsula, the Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Palazzetto Venezia building was moved so it wouldn't obstruct the view of the monument from Via del Corso. It seems every monument is nearby. This large stone monument is located close to the Colosseum and the Pantheon. Piazza Navona is near to pantheon, Spanish steps are near to Piazza Navona, got the picture? Don't forget to check in the center on top of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. There is the same concept almost everywhere. in Washington DC, there is a tomb of an unknown soldier, and it's very interesting. Read more here - https://www.yelp.com/biz/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-arlington-2?hrid=NmzdenKQ2Y-AqS3Fop-IGQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
I've visited the Eternal City three times since 2010. On each of those visits, I've stopped by the Altare della Patria at least two times. On each of those visits, I've forgotten the museum's name. It has been dubbed "the white building." By Roman standards, this place is brand new (built in the 1800s). It's down the street from the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Forum, and right at the beginning of Via Corso, a main shopping drag in the city. Its central location makes it a great spot to visit and the museum itself is really interesting. The facade is absolutely stunning. HOWEVER! The main attraction for me? The roof. For 7 euro, you can take a little elevator up to the roof and browse around. This is perfect for the selfie-lover and urban landscape-lover. It's a great way to get a different perspective on many of the major landmarks since you can see them from here perfectly. I can't recommend a visit to this place enough. Do not pass it by!
This great structure was built in the late 19th century to honor the unification of Italy. It looks impressive from outside. It's free to enter. The inside has a military museum. The real draw is to take the elevator to the top of the building. Its 7 euros, try to buy in advance to avoid the queue. There are great views of a lot of the great sights in Rome from up there. There is an eternal flame on the steps to honor unknown soldiers, it is guarded 24/7, pretty cool. It's very near the Colosseum, so worth a visit if you are near by.
We visited Altare della Patria on January 6 at sunset. It was perfect for photographs of the city still decked out from the holidays. I don't know why exactly but the final elevator to the top that cost 10 euros in July was free on that day. Also, because it was a little brisk outside, there were a fair amount of people in line (20 minutes) but not the large masses of people that visited in July (1 hour). To access the elevator to the top, you will need to walk up about 5 floors of steps. The elevator is the only way to the very top and will take you to the viewing level located in between the chariots. The view of Rome from the top is superb. This monument is massive and also includes a museum and from what I understand the American equivalent of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is guarded by 2 military personal at the top of the first steps of stair off Piazza Venezia. A must see for us, two thumbs up!
If you visit Rome, you'll probably take a picture of this even if you don't know what it is. Although with it's own history, I think mostly people are drawn in by architecture, fountains and crowds of tourists with effing selfie sticks (so it must be good, right?). What you want to do, though, is go and check out the view from the top, trust me.
Came upon this place without realizing what it was until after a couple of pictures were taken. Beautiful place to take pictures outside & you can go inside for free to get away from the heat & explore more of the museum. One thing to do: go to the top of the building so you can see the view of the city! Like other people have said in their reviews, you can pay a small fee to take an elevator to go even higher to see the city. The line was about an hour wait so we decided against waiting & were happy with the rooftop pictures we got. Oh, one more thing - technically, you aren't supposed to sit on the steps to take a picture, so I didn't know that.. After I had my picture taken, another girl sat on the steps to have her picture taken & one of the workers told her she wasn't allowed to sit on the steps. Just a FYI for those we want to do step pictures, be quick!
When you are traveling from Termini into Rome, the first impression of the Eternal City may be Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), a grand white marble monument commemorating the king who rallied for Italian unification, Victor Emmanuel II. Once you see Altare della Patria, you will understand why it's nicknamed "the Wedding Cake"! Although it's the newest member of Rome's historic center, this monument is equally grandiose and attention-grabbing as nearby headliners like the Colosseum. You probably didn't fly into Rome for this monument but you can bet Altare della Patria will be one of your lasting impressions! Climb atop of the multiple steps for free and be rewarded with an unique view of the historic Rome! Apparently you can even pay a small fee to be on the very top for the best vantage point of Roman Forum - Sadly I didn't know this while I was there... Nonetheless, whether you choose to climb Altare della Patria or not, you will definitely pass by this grand monument and will be hard to resist the temptation to snap a photo of this interesting beauty! Certainly because of its location, Altare della Patria is controversial because many ruins were cleared out for its construction. However even the detractors can agree that while the Colosseum is the memory of Rome as the caput mudus of the Empire, Altare della Patria is the symbol of Rome as the capital of the modern Italy. --- tl;dr version: 1) Though less famous abroad, still a memorable sight of Rome 2) Grand marble monument for the king behind Italian unification 3) Climb atop for a good view of historic Rome
Altare della Patria, commonly referred to by locals as "the Typewriter," was built in honor of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of unified Italy. You can take an elevator (7 euros/person) to top of the building where there are incredible views of the Rome skyline. You can see St. Peter's Basilica, domes from various churches, the Colloseum, Roman Forum, etc... They also have nice diagrams to show you what you are looking at.
6 days ago
We experienced this landmark as a passenger on a bus. There was no cost to observe the landmark and we spent less than 15 minutes as we drove by the place of interest. The atmosphere was low key as people were walking around the area. While there were people there, it wasn't crowded. The location is best for people who enjoy architecture, history, and visiting the landmarks of a city. read more
The Monument to Victor Emmanuel II is hard to miss, and we stopped here on our way back from the Colosseum. We ended up taking our time walking around the building and the square around it, because at every corner there was something that made us stop for a second look. The whole area is a dream for anyone who enjoys history. Even though it's an enormous, modern structure compared to the ancient ruins nearby, it plays a major role in Italy's story as it honors Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. The bright white marble, the long staircases, the huge bronze statues, and the views from the terraces all add to its presence. Inside is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which gives the monument a more solemn side. We were both exhausted by the time we got there, but still didn't want to rush it. The only thing missing is more signs explaining what you're looking at; there's so much detail and so much history layered into one place. Still, it was a great experience and well worth the time to explore. read more
This is the monument to Victor Emmanuelle who defeated the Austro-Hungarian forces and unified the various kingdoms to form modern day Italy. It's called the " wedding cake " since it's all while. VE's statue is the crowning figure on the central podium. Amazing views of Piazza Venezia and nearby archeological sights. read more
We stopped here walking back from the Coliseum. Lots of great architecture and statues. You can walk into the museum and see much more. It actually took a lot longer than I thought it would. Definitely a must see when in Rome. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
This monument is stunning. Love that you can climb up to the too and take in the views of the surroundings. Lots of steps though, so be prepared! The detail of the architecture is phenomenal. It can get busy, as we visited in the middle of the afternoon. Still very worth to pay a visit, especially if you're in the area! It's next to many other activities and shops too read more
This was a huge monument that my friend and I stumbled upon while wandering around Rome. We had no idea what it was, but we took some photos and looked it up later. Apparently, it was built to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified and independent Italy until his death in 1878. The monument looks like something you would see in Washington DC and it is almost comical how large it actually is. Definitely an interesting sight to behold in person. read more
The one landmark dominating Piazza Venezia is Il Vittoriano, a monument dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy. The construction of the immense white marble monument - built on the side of the Capitoline Hill - in the early twentieth century completely changed the Victor Emmanuel II Monument appearance of the square, which at the same time was drastically enlarged. At the front of the monument stands a large bronze statue of Emmanuel and many other stone sculptures. The front facade features a row of ornate columns and is also highly decorated. At the base of the monument, there is also an interesting museum that is dedicated to the unification of Italy and the early years of its history. You can enter free. It's commonly called "The Wedding Cake" and "The Typewriter" by critics who protest its ostentatious design and its incongruity with the city's architecture. isn't it interesting...haha.. The two fountains at either end of the monument represent the seas surrounding the Italian peninsula, the Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Palazzetto Venezia building was moved so it wouldn't obstruct the view of the monument from Via del Corso. It seems every monument is nearby. This large stone monument is located close to the Colosseum and the Pantheon. Piazza Navona is near to pantheon, Spanish steps are near to Piazza Navona, got the picture? Don't forget to check in the center on top of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. There is the same concept almost everywhere. in Washington DC, there is a tomb of an unknown soldier, and it's very interesting. Read more here - https://www.yelp.com/biz/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-arlington-2?hrid=NmzdenKQ2Y-AqS3Fop-IGQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) read more
2 years ago
10 years ago
I've visited the Eternal City three times since 2010. On each of those visits, I've stopped by the Altare della Patria at least two times. On each of those visits, I've forgotten the museum's name. It has been dubbed "the white building." By Roman standards, this place is brand new (built in the 1800s). It's down the street from the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Forum, and right at the beginning of Via Corso, a main shopping drag in the city. Its central location makes it a great spot to visit and the museum itself is really interesting. The facade is absolutely stunning. HOWEVER! The main attraction for me? The roof. For 7 euro, you can take a little elevator up to the roof and browse around. This is perfect for the selfie-lover and urban landscape-lover. It's a great way to get a different perspective on many of the major landmarks since you can see them from here perfectly. I can't recommend a visit to this place enough. Do not pass it by! read more
This great structure was built in the late 19th century to honor the unification of Italy. It looks impressive from outside. It's free to enter. The inside has a military museum. The real draw is to take the elevator to the top of the building. Its 7 euros, try to buy in advance to avoid the queue. There are great views of a lot of the great sights in Rome from up there. There is an eternal flame on the steps to honor unknown soldiers, it is guarded 24/7, pretty cool. It's very near the Colosseum, so worth a visit if you are near by. read more
8 years ago
We visited Altare della Patria on January 6 at sunset. It was perfect for photographs of the city still decked out from the holidays. I don't know why exactly but the final elevator to the top that cost 10 euros in July was free on that day. Also, because it was a little brisk outside, there were a fair amount of people in line (20 minutes) but not the large masses of people that visited in July (1 hour). To access the elevator to the top, you will need to walk up about 5 floors of steps. The elevator is the only way to the very top and will take you to the viewing level located in between the chariots. The view of Rome from the top is superb. This monument is massive and also includes a museum and from what I understand the American equivalent of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is guarded by 2 military personal at the top of the first steps of stair off Piazza Venezia. A must see for us, two thumbs up! read more
If you visit Rome, you'll probably take a picture of this even if you don't know what it is. Although with it's own history, I think mostly people are drawn in by architecture, fountains and crowds of tourists with effing selfie sticks (so it must be good, right?). What you want to do, though, is go and check out the view from the top, trust me. read more
7 years ago
Came upon this place without realizing what it was until after a couple of pictures were taken. Beautiful place to take pictures outside & you can go inside for free to get away from the heat & explore more of the museum. One thing to do: go to the top of the building so you can see the view of the city! Like other people have said in their reviews, you can pay a small fee to take an elevator to go even higher to see the city. The line was about an hour wait so we decided against waiting & were happy with the rooftop pictures we got. Oh, one more thing - technically, you aren't supposed to sit on the steps to take a picture, so I didn't know that.. After I had my picture taken, another girl sat on the steps to have her picture taken & one of the workers told her she wasn't allowed to sit on the steps. Just a FYI for those we want to do step pictures, be quick! read more
When you are traveling from Termini into Rome, the first impression of the Eternal City may be Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), a grand white marble monument commemorating the king who rallied for Italian unification, Victor Emmanuel II. Once you see Altare della Patria, you will understand why it's nicknamed "the Wedding Cake"! Although it's the newest member of Rome's historic center, this monument is equally grandiose and attention-grabbing as nearby headliners like the Colosseum. You probably didn't fly into Rome for this monument but you can bet Altare della Patria will be one of your lasting impressions! Climb atop of the multiple steps for free and be rewarded with an unique view of the historic Rome! Apparently you can even pay a small fee to be on the very top for the best vantage point of Roman Forum - Sadly I didn't know this while I was there... Nonetheless, whether you choose to climb Altare della Patria or not, you will definitely pass by this grand monument and will be hard to resist the temptation to snap a photo of this interesting beauty! Certainly because of its location, Altare della Patria is controversial because many ruins were cleared out for its construction. However even the detractors can agree that while the Colosseum is the memory of Rome as the caput mudus of the Empire, Altare della Patria is the symbol of Rome as the capital of the modern Italy. --- tl;dr version: 1) Though less famous abroad, still a memorable sight of Rome 2) Grand marble monument for the king behind Italian unification 3) Climb atop for a good view of historic Rome read more
Altare della Patria, commonly referred to by locals as "the Typewriter," was built in honor of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of unified Italy. You can take an elevator (7 euros/person) to top of the building where there are incredible views of the Rome skyline. You can see St. Peter's Basilica, domes from various churches, the Colloseum, Roman Forum, etc... They also have nice diagrams to show you what you are looking at. read more
8 years ago
It's really nice great to take pictures, the museum inside it's really not worth it unless you're big into Italian history then go for it, but something you must do is to try to get the elevator to the top, I think it's €12 but the view of Rome from the top is amazing!!!! read more
The Altare della Patria (literally "Altar of the Fatherland") is known also as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II ("National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II"). He was the first king of a unified Italy. Though not a ruin (it is less than 200 years old) it is a grand monument featuring Corinthian columns, many stairways, fountains, two statues of the goddess Victoria and an equestrian sculpture of Emmanuel. Bring your wide angle lens or be prepared to bolt into the street to get a great shot. While it may not be on your bucket list of places to see in Rome, it is hard not to marvel at its architectural beauty during the daytime or at night. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
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Altare della Patria - museums - Updated August 2026
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