Altar of the Fatherland

The Altar of the Fatherland is an imposing, majestic building located in the Piazza Venezia. It has various names such as Vittoriano, Monumento Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele II, and The Wedding Cake or The Typewriter building. At its nucleus is the equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel Ⅱ, the first king of unified Italy.

A grand staircase takes you to the Altare della Patria and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The staircase continues and terminates at the highest point of this 81m tall marble monument, offering a splendid view. In 1921, it became the site of the Unknown Soldier's Tomb, commemorating all soldiers who were martyred in the war. The Altare della Patria lies above the Tomb, featuring the statue of Goddess Roma. Two fountains on either side of the staircase represent the Tyrrhenian and the Adriatic Seas. Beyond the Altare della Patria is the portico with its Corinthian-style columns. The portico has two propylaea at its sides, constituting the entrance to ancient temples.