Vittoriano, Altar of Fatherland - a giant monument honoring Victor Emmanuel II, the king who united the divided Italy in 19 century, is at the heart of Rome, near the Capitoline Hill. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the so-called «altar of the fatherland», is at the foot of the monument.
Unlike most European countries, which had strong central power for many centuries, Italy and Germany were in the state of feudal disunity up to 19 century. This made them weak from the political and economic point of view. The unification of Italy, which was important for the development of the country, took place under above-mentioned king in 1861. And so they began to call him the «father of the country».
The construction of the monumental complex devoted to the unification of Italy began in 1878, just after the death of Victor Emmanuel II. The construction works were very difficult as they demanded to pull down many ancient buildings. The monument opening ceremony was timed to the 50th anniversary of the unification of Italy, which was celebrated on July, 4 1911.
A marble stair is leading from Piazza Venezia to the «altar of the fatherland» where the remains of the unknown soldier were buried. You can see the ceremonial guard near the it. The altar is below the equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II. The neoclassical portico with Corinthian columns is behind the 12-meter statue.
