1. Altare della Patria

    0

    Rome, RM

    Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Altare della Patria

    4.6 (27 reviews)

    Altare della Patria Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Altare della Patria

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Victor Emanuelle Statue 1/21/24
    Joanna T.

    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.

    Andrew I.

    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.

    View
    Bladimir M.

    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

    Tyler L.

    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.

    Sanjay G.

    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)

    Kathleen D.

    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!

    Hansel B.

    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.

    Front view at the bottom.
    Chris F.

    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!

    Hannah M.

    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.

    Equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II
    Jay Y.

    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

    Rooftop picture
    Bethany M.

    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!

    View from roof of Altare della Patria.  St. Peter's Basilica can be seen in middle along with domes from several other churches.
    Paul L.

    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.

    Johanna J.

    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!!!!

    Altare Della Patria - day

    See all

    12 days ago

    Helpful 24
    Thanks 10
    Love this 30
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 34
    Thanks 14
    Love this 30
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joanna T.
    1072
    957
    11505

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A C.
    4307
    935
    21

    1 year ago

    Helpful 50
    Thanks 10
    Love this 39
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 51
    Thanks 1
    Love this 46
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tyler L.
    775
    1986
    3452

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 1
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris F.
    6
    269
    171

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay Y.
    746
    1026
    1836

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of GT W.
    508
    2349
    1103

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Go to the top for great view of Rome. And if you have teenagers with you they will definitely love doing this.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ted Q.
    1
    534
    7

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Altare della Patria Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Altare della Patria

    “Altare della Patria, commonly referred to by locals as "the Typewriter," was built in honor of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of unified Italy.”

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Fontana di Trevi - Fontana di Trevi

    Fontana di Trevi

    4.5(996 reviews)
    0.7 km•Centro Storico

    How can you come to Rome and not see the iconic Trevi Fountain?…read more I highly recommend paying the two euros so that you can get front and center. It was more magnificent than I expected and the water was so blue! It was a very quick stop, but one we won't ever forget!

    There's no shortage of beautiful ornate water works and fountains in Rome, even the small fixtures…read morethat are just meant as water spots for people and pets are works of art. As I learned, the fountains of Rome are not just for show, they're an important part of the area water network. Rome is fed by one of the most potent mountain spring aquifer sources in the world, pumping 525 MILLION GALLONS a day. The pressure on piping for that kind of quantity is immense, and reliable outflows are needed in addition to the water use privately. Hence the many fountains and watering points around Rome, all fit for drinking straight from the tap or filling your most handy water bottle. Trevi fountain is easily one of the most ornate however, giving you that feeling of it being an exquisite pool for the gods. It has a almost a grotto-like feel, with the original stonemasons opting to use large unworked boulders as part of the landscape where they affixed their finely sculpted masterpieces. The square that surrounds it is just jam packed full of people, so unless you are tall like me, be prepared to work your way in for a good shot. If you are looking for refreshment, you'll be waiting a long time here. There are smaller water sources nearby to splash your face and fill your bottle. While you could spend months trying to explore all the fountains of Rome, if you just have a couple days, this one if the must see. It lives up to its reputation in every way.

    Photos
    Fontana di Trevi - Trevi !! So many memories

    Trevi !! So many memories

    Fontana di Trevi - Fontana di Trevi. Just amazing.

    Fontana di Trevi. Just amazing.

    Fontana di Trevi - @6:15am Tuesday morning crowds were already forming!

    See all

    @6:15am Tuesday morning crowds were already forming!

    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola - Outside of Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola in Rome, Italy  (pic taken on Tues. 09/30/2025)

    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola

    4.9(30 reviews)
    0.6 km•Centro Storico

    Honestly, save your time and your one euro coin. The church…read moreitself is beautiful, but the entire experience has been completely ruined by social media hype. We waited in line for a literal hour just to reach the famous "selfie mirror" to get a photo with the ceiling fresco. When you finally get to the front, you have to pay 1 euro, and you're rushed through it so fast you can barely even check if the photo turned out.

    To think, I almost avoided visiting this STUNNING 17th-century church - Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di…read moreLoyola, when visiting Rome, Italy (09/25/2025 - 10/01/2025) because it is Tik-Tok and IG "famous" for being the "mirrored church" to take an iconic selfie... yes, you read that correctly..iconic selfie. I was for sure it was going to be crowded w/ social media influencers and I was correct..it was crowded but don't let that deter you from seeing this historical beauty! Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola is known as the "mirrored church" because it has a mirror strategically placed to see the beautiful painted ceiling fresco. (see pics & videos included in this review from my visit on Tuesday 09/30/2025 - at 10:56am) It also has a painted illusion of having a real soaring dome on a flat ceiling - very cool for sure and does make you look twice just to confirm it's indeed an illusion! Here are a few helpful fyi(s) that I wanted to pass along: --- - long line for the mirror right as you enter the church - if there is a line of people waiting for the mirror, you don't have to wait in that line if you don't want to take a selfie w/ the mirror and are only wanting to see the church...as someone else mentioned in a previous review, you can get creative w/ taking a selfie w/ the beautiful ceiling. My hubby & I took our selfie pic while we were sitting in the pew and used a timer on our phone (see pic included). ---- visit early to avoid the crowds & to fully enjoy your experience at this church Avoid the crowds so you can really take in how detailed and beautiful the architecture and paintings are. Trust me, you'll enjoy your experience so much more w/ less people. ---- it's free to visit but do bring some money w/ you to give as an offering --- just a reminder to be respectful when visiting because it is a holy place Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola truly is something special and of the MANY Rome basilica's I've explored during my 2 visits to Rome, it is now my FAVORITE basilica thus far. Hope this info helps. :)) Rebecca visiting Rome, Italy from Austin, Texas (USA) 09/25/2025 - 10/01/2025

    Photos
    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola - Inside lighting

    Inside lighting

    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola
    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola

    See all

    Piazza Venezia - April 2026 construction in front of the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

    Piazza Venezia

    4.4(40 reviews)
    0.1 km•Centro Storico

    This is another one of these spots in Rome that is a must see! This is a truly historic building…read moreand there is so much history here. If you don't have time to stop in and do everything they have inside, it is still great to walk around and take if the beautiful building with the incredible horse statues at the top. Be careful when walking around though. There is a large street with multiple crossings but cars fly by. So double check when crossing the street and don't get too distracted that you put yourself in danger.

    3 is for the piazza in its current state--as of April 2026 construction was very much still…read moreunderway so a large section of what is usually a very open cobblestone piazza, was cordoned off, leaving the remaining roadways along the perimeter narrow and congested. Located at the intersection of major thoroughfares Via del Corso and Via dei Fori Imperiali, without the construction, the view across the square towards the massive complex of the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II is awe-inspiring, you need to stand fairly far back towards the middle of the square to get a full look at the building. The piazza so named due to the Palazzo Venezia built here as ordered by Cardinal Pietro Barbo (later Pope Paul II) in early Renaissance times, and also because this place became the embassy of the Republic of Venice back in 1560. In 1797 this area came under jurisdiction of the Habsburg Empire and served Austro-Hungarian diplomats until Italy reclaimed it in 1916. Dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel II, credited with unifying Italy, the Vittoriano Monument was built between 1885-1911 and is also known as the Altare della Pàtria (Altar of the Fatherland). Later a shrine was added honoring soldiers who died in WWI without identified names.

    Photos
    Piazza Venezia
    Piazza Venezia
    Piazza Venezia

    See all

    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - stunning

    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres

    4.7(483 reviews)
    0.7 km•Centro Storico

    Realizing I may have left my review for the Pantheon in the wrong spot, and now I feel a bit more…read moreconfident I have found the right Yelp business... I am re-posting it here while we figure it out! Would take a lot for me to not give one of the oldest standing structures (still in use by the way) in the entire world a 5 star review right? Quite frankly, walking in and looking up is just enough to bring you to a state of awe at the massive freestanding dome, still completely open in the middle, where the sun moves about the room throughout the day. Over the years it has taken on both a secular and religious bent. There are several people buried there with large monuments, the most recent was the man who brought Italy out of monarchial rule. It appears Catholic services are still held here on occasion, and there are pews for prayer and places to light a candle for blessings. It's no longer free to get in, you can wait in a first come first serve line, or try your luck at buying tickets online... though we tried several times and the online payment system would not work for us. All in all, it's a 30 minutes stop to see one of the oldest intact structures in the world, and that is always worth it to me.

    While visiting Roma , this was one of our stops. No time to…read morevisit inside since our time was limited as our stop in Roma was during our Mediterranean cruise. Beautiful structure on the outside so grand, it's nice to see one of these days maybe next time we will be able to go inside.

    Photos
    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - In front of the Pantheon

    In front of the Pantheon

    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - Pantheon Rome, Italy on Friday, 09/26/2025 at 09:32pm

    Pantheon Rome, Italy on Friday, 09/26/2025 at 09:32pm

    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - Fontana del Pantheon

    See all

    Fontana del Pantheon

    Colosseo - Picture perfect

    Colosseo

    4.6(1.1k reviews)
    0.9 km•Aventino

    Ah the Colosseum. An awe-inspiring visit to the world's largest amphitheater! This iconic Roman…read moresymbol vies with the likes of the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter's Basilica for the most-visited tourist destination when visiting Rome.* I'll spare everyone the history which is probably covered in one of many previous reviews and mention some points for visiting this national treasure. Book tickets in advance, most preferably through the Colosseum's website. Don't expect to buy tickets in person at the entry, though I believe you may be able to pick up tickets at the office, and occasionally they may have end of day availability. Unsurprisingly these sell out very quickly so constant checking of their website for availability is needed, and you have to go with whatever time slots are available. Tickets seem to be released one month in advance and sell out almost immediately though when I was checking it was unclear what time of day they are released. If you can't buy tickets via the official website, then third parties also sell tickets though 1) there may be surcharge, 2) may be part of a group or audio tour where reviews range from mixed to excellent. For booking individual tickets on the website with access to the underground or attic, these need to be booked specifically so check what access each ticket provides. Also some access combinations don't include the Colosseum itself, and only the Forum/Palantine Hill, so make sure you choose the right one. Arriving to the Colosseum, there are crowds incessantly lining up for entry on the southwest side, and no organized lines. Everyone basically crowds around the security tent while staff constantly explain to people asking what time slot they are currently permitting entry. For how chaotic this appeared, given four functioning lanes for security, a fair number of people were allowed thru with about a twenty minute wait. It is very IMPORTANT (BOLD CAPS this) to bring an official ID--I saw people being turned away without ID. Inside depending on what access you have you can visit the arena level, upper levels, lower and/or attic. My ticket included the first two areas and they scan the QR/barcode to allow access. Inside this ancient amphitheater the views were grand--even in its current ruined state the vast underground corridors and soaring upper levels are super impressive. 80 arched entryways, a labyrinth of lower level holding cells, pulley systems and trapdoors, even retractable overhead shades, all colossal feats of engineering. You can just begin to imagine how glorious it looked in its heyday; it was mind blowing to me how much labor it must've taken to construct and maintain the series of tiered levels under and overground. Aside from the arena ground level, which is about a fifth covered and open to walking around, the route of tour is in a single direction to help the flow of foot traffic. Technically individual tickets limit visits to 75 or 90 minutes though I didn't see anyone checking. That's a sufficient enough time for visitors to see everything. Since most individual Colosseum tickets include Forum access, most people seemed to head over across the street afterwards. *Though I guess the latter two aren't actually in Italy.

    Proud to say my first world wonder was the colosseum in Rome Italy. I had a wonderful guided tour I…read moregot from get your guide and it was incredible learning about the nearly 2,000 year old landmark. I got the upgraded package to visit the arena and it was so unreal being there. It was like stepping into history. The colosseum is a must see in Rome!

    Photos
    Colosseo - Famous lookout point

    Famous lookout point

    Colosseo - Arch of Constantine

    Arch of Constantine

    Colosseo - Exit

    See all

    Exit

    Torre Argentina - cat sanctuary

    Torre Argentina

    4.2(50 reviews)
    0.5 km•Centro Storico

    We spent an afternoon wandering around Rome, making our way through different neighborhoods, and…read morecame across the Largo di Torre Argentina entirely by accident. It looked significant, so we walked over and read up on what we were seeing. Turns out this is where it is commonly believed that Julius Caesar met his et tu end. Rome, right? There's no avoiding sites of staggering historic importance. The site is now a sort of open square, fenced off in such a way that you can't just walk in but can see everything from the street. It contains four Roman Republican temples and the remains of Pompey's Theatre, apparently the first permanent theatre to be built in Rome, completed in 55 BC. Julius Caesar was assassinated at Pomepy's Theatre, so I guess even if it didn't happen within the square, it was certainly close enough. Two thousand years and change later, Largo di Torre Argentina became an official cat sanctuary, with a shelter opening in 1993. My husband visited Rome in 1997 and remembers seeing cats everywhere. He says there are noticeably fewer now, and I think we only saw one when we visited this square. Though did I see a cat, or do I just know, reading about the place now, that I was maybe supposed to see one? I honestly can't say. But in my mind, I can picture a cat, fluffy and grimy, resting by the fence. The picture of Caesar is less defined, but I can see him there too, leaving his blood in the square.

    This open-air historic site includes (1) the ruins of the ancient Roman building where Caesar was…read moreassassinated and (2) cats. You can see most of the cats (and ruins) from the perimeter of the site. However, if you want to go down to ground level and get a closer look at the ruins and some signs explaining what you're looking at, you can get an entry ticket for €7. The cats are pretty friendly and may approach you.

    Photos
    Torre Argentina - Cat sanctuary

    Cat sanctuary

    Torre Argentina - Cat wandering through ancient Roman ruins

    Cat wandering through ancient Roman ruins

    Torre Argentina

    See all

    Altare della Patria - museums - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...