The Victorian

The Victorian: Monument to Unified Italy

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The Victorian: History
The Victorian is also called The Victor Emmanuel Monument because it was dedicated to the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emmanuele II of the house of Savoy. The monument was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1895. It is made out of white marble from Botticino, Brescia. The Victorian is appreciated by tourists but has a controversial history, as it has been ridiculed by critics because of its dimension and shape, and is often referred to as the ''typewriter'' or ''wedding cake''.
It was built by the government in order to give a sense of cultural, linguistic and spiritual identity to the newly unified Italian nation. Today it is also known for its nicknames – “the typewriter” and “the wedding cake”. The resulting monument came out of  several expropriations and demolition projects directed by the architect Sacconi. The following architects also worked on the project:  Gaetano Koch, Manfredo Manfredini, Pio Piacentini and Mattina di Rezzato. Ending in 1935, it was characterized by some additions such as the Altar of Peace – a sculpture by Angelo Zanelli including a statue of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas representing Union and Freedom, a work by Carlo Fontana and Paolo Bartolini.

The Victorian: Description
The Victorian is a gigantic monument in marble linking the modern city with the Imperial Forum and the Colosseum. The monument has majestic stairways, tall Corinthian columns, lateral fountains, a huge equestrian sculpture dedicated to the king Victor Emmanuel and two statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas. The structure is 135 meters wide and 70 meters high. The base of the whole structure hosts a museum of the Italian Risorgimento, or Unification. Past allegorical statues, symbols, and friezes are represented in the heart of the building where the great equestrian statue of the King of Italy stands. On the top, from the scenographic portico you can see the entire city, just as the King of Italy overlooked the capital of his newly-born nation. The monument holds the Grave For The Unknown Soldier from World War I as well as an eternal flame. Members of the armed forces watch over the Grave of the Unknown Soldier, placed here to remember those who died for the Italian nation. The Victorian has Piazza Venezia on its north side. The palace to the left is Palazzo Venezia, which was originally built to serve as the embassy of the state of Venice to the Vatican. Nowadays it is devoted to exhibitions.

The Victorian: What To Visit
We suggest you work the Colosseum, the Imperial Forum, and the Campidoglio into your visit to the Victorian, as they are literally right next door.

The Victorian: Accommodation
For some advice on where to stay near the Victorian and Piazza Venezia check out our guide Hotel in the center of Rome or our guide Rome B&Bs.

The Victorian: How to Arrive
The Victorian is reachable by bus number 60, H, 175 or the Rome Metro Line B Colosseo stop.

More and different things to come on The Victorian

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