Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II
Victor Emmanuel was a strong military leader who's victories during the Italian Revolution (1815-1871) led to the unification of the many Italian states into one unified state, the Kingdom of Italy. He became the first king of a united Italy since the 6th century and held that title until his death in 1878.
Also known as the Altare della Patria, Altar of the Fatherland, the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II was built to honor him.
Standing 230 ft high and 443 ft wide, it occupies a large area of the Capitoline Hill. Designed in 1885, it was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1925. Designed in the Greco-Roman style, the monument was very controversial. Many ancient Roman structures and artifacts were destroyed to clear the way for construction. Made of the finest white Botticino marble from Brescia, Italy, the best sculptors were employed to execute the designs which include an impressive stairway leading through Corinthian columns, beautiful fountains, and statues.
Two bronze statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas are seen at the top (the goddess Victoria represents Victory, the quadrigas are chariots drawn by four horses abreast). Symbolizing "winged victory" the one on the right represents freedom, the one on the left unity.
At the foot of the of the equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II is the Altare della Patria or Altar of the Motherland. It is the most famous part of the monument. In front of the statue of the goddess Roma is the Tomb of Italy's Unknown Soldier from WWI, completed in 1924. It is flanked by a two-man honor guard and highlighted by an eternal flame. The honor guard is present at all times.
There are two fountains - Le Fontaine dei Due Mari (The Fountains of the Two Seas). The fountain on the left represents the Adriatic, with the lion of San Marco. On the right is the Tyrrhenian, with the wolf of Rome and the siren Partenope, which symbolizes the city of Naples.
The link below shows a progressive timeline of the Unification:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Italian-unifi...
Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II
Victor Emmanuel was a strong military leader who's victories during the Italian Revolution (1815-1871) led to the unification of the many Italian states into one unified state, the Kingdom of Italy. He became the first king of a united Italy since the 6th century and held that title until his death in 1878.
Also known as the Altare della Patria, Altar of the Fatherland, the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II was built to honor him.
Standing 230 ft high and 443 ft wide, it occupies a large area of the Capitoline Hill. Designed in 1885, it was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1925. Designed in the Greco-Roman style, the monument was very controversial. Many ancient Roman structures and artifacts were destroyed to clear the way for construction. Made of the finest white Botticino marble from Brescia, Italy, the best sculptors were employed to execute the designs which include an impressive stairway leading through Corinthian columns, beautiful fountains, and statues.
Two bronze statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas are seen at the top (the goddess Victoria represents Victory, the quadrigas are chariots drawn by four horses abreast). Symbolizing "winged victory" the one on the right represents freedom, the one on the left unity.
At the foot of the of the equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II is the Altare della Patria or Altar of the Motherland. It is the most famous part of the monument. In front of the statue of the goddess Roma is the Tomb of Italy's Unknown Soldier from WWI, completed in 1924. It is flanked by a two-man honor guard and highlighted by an eternal flame. The honor guard is present at all times.
There are two fountains - Le Fontaine dei Due Mari (The Fountains of the Two Seas). The fountain on the left represents the Adriatic, with the lion of San Marco. On the right is the Tyrrhenian, with the wolf of Rome and the siren Partenope, which symbolizes the city of Naples.
The link below shows a progressive timeline of the Unification:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Italian-unifi...