The Vittoriano, also known as the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II or the Altar of the Fatherland, is a national monument located in the heart of Rome, in Piazza Venezia. Dedicated to the first king of a united Italy, it stands as a symbol of national unity as well as democratic and European values. Its strategic position and imposing size make it one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Italian capital. But what exactly is the Vittoriano, and what is its history? This is everything you need to know. 

The monument was designed to commemorate Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a united Italy, and to celebrate national unity. But when was it built, and who built it? Construction began in 1885 under the direction of architect Giuseppe Sacconi, who won the design competition. The choice of Piazza Venezia as the site was no coincidence: its central, strategic location allowed the monument to dominate Rome’s cityscape.