Victor Emmanuel was Italy's first king and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unification of Italy in 1861, this monstrosity was built.
The statue of the king on his horse is one of the largest equestrian statues in the world. His mustache alone is 5 feet wide.
At the base of the statue is Italy's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Two chariots crown the monument.
To get a bird's-eye view of Rome, you can climb to the base of the colonnade for free or pay €7 to ride the Rome from the Sky elevator to the rooftop.
From the base of the colonnade, you can get a good enough view--St. Peter's dome is visible in the distance on a clear day.
In the opposite direction, you can see the Colosseum.
Trajan's Forum
Climbing down from the Victor Emmanuel Monument, you'll pass the Temple of Venus Genetrix.
Walking further, you'll see the Roman Forum
before arriving at a replica of the She-Wolf statue next to the mayoral palace.
Designed by Michelangelo, the Piazza del Campidoglio was once the religious and political center of ancient Rome. The Capitoline museums occupy both sides of the piazza.
Statue of Minerva in the piazza.
Next door is the Santa Maria in Aracoeli Church. Roman women who wished for a child used to climb these 125 steps on their knees.
Inside, the columns and marble floor are plundered from different monuments.
Explains the mismatch.
Beautiful frescoes by Pinturicchio.
Gravestones on the floor are elaborate.
Wooden statue of the Baby Jesus. This is a replica--the original was stolen in 1994.
2019 04 10
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