El Monumento a Víctor Manuel II (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II)

The Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, better known as the Altar of the Fatherland (Altare della Patria) is located in the Venecian Square in front of the Palazzo Venezia in the centre of Rome.

The monument was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1884. It was built between 1885 and 1911, whereas the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added in 1921. The edifice is a sybol of the union of Italy, that is why a figure of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king after the transformation of the country, is situated on it. The central part consists of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - here an eternal flame is blazing and soldiers are on guard. Behind the tomb is a wall with a low relief of the goddess of Rome on the golden background. Above the pedestal is a figure of a king on a horse. The whole is closed by a semicircular portico wit columns.

The monument is open for visitors as it provides them with a beautiful panoramic view of Rome. The eidifice houses the Museo del Risorgimento with a collection commemorating the war for the union of Italy.