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The enormous white marble monument at the Piazza Venezia was built for the first King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.
As King of Sardinia Victor Emmanuel had become a symbol of the movement for a united Italy. After his army joined with Garibaldi and defeated the papal, the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in 1861 with Victor Emmanuel as King.
The monument, also known as 'Il Vittoriano' consists of a large flight of stairs leading to the Altar of the Nation, dominated by a massive 12m long equestrian statue of the King. Near the statue is the tomb of the unknown soldier, guarded by two sentries of honor. At the back is a long corridor with 15mt high columns. On top of the corridor are two bronze quadrigae, each with a winged Victory.
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