# Vittoriano, Rome

> The Vittoriano is the vast white-marble monument to King Victor Emmanuel II on Piazza Venezia, opened in 1911. Its lower stairs and terraces are free, and a glass lift climbs to the roof for one of Rome's best panoramas, from the Colosseum to St Peter's. The lift costs about €12–18; it opens roughly 9:30–19:30, and an hour is enough.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/vittoriano

- City: [Rome](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome), Italy
- YesGo score: 61/100 (Yes, go)
- Time on site: 1 h
- Entry: Terraces free; lift ≈ €12–18
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Stairs and lower terraces: Free
- Rooftop lift: ≈ €12–18 — Terrace of the Quadrigas, 360° view
- Opening hours: ≈ 9:30–19:30
- Not allowed: Sitting on the steps, eating or drinking — guards enforce it
- Time needed: About an hour with the lift
- Location: Piazza Venezia; 10 minutes' walk from the Colosseum and Pantheon
- Coordinates: 41.89472, 12.48306
- Facts checked: 10.11.2026

## Key facts

- **1911** — inaugurated for the 50th anniversary of Italian unification (source: English Wikipedia)
- **1885–1935** — half a century of building to Giuseppe Sacconi's design (source: English Wikipedia)
- **≈ 135 × 70 m** — width and height; about 81 m with the bronze quadrigas (source: English Wikipedia)
- **≈ 12 m** — height of the gilded equestrian statue of the king (source: English Wikipedia)
- **Botticino** — white marble from near Brescia — why it glares against ochre Rome (source: English Wikipedia)
- **2 quadrigas** — bronze chariots of Unity and Liberty on the roof, 1927 (source: English Wikipedia)

## The rooftop terrace and glass lift

The best reason to visit is the **view**. The front stairs and lower terraces are free and look over [Piazza Venezia](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/piazza-venezia) and Via del Corso. Round the back, on the Santa Maria in Aracoeli side, a **glass panoramic lift** rises to the topmost **Terrace of the Quadrigas**.

From the roof you get a **360° panorama**: the [Colosseum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/colosseum) and [Roman Forum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/roman-forum) one way, the domes of the centre and [St Peter's](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/st-peters-basilica) the other — one of very few viewpoints right in the heart of the city. Lift tickets cost **€12–18** depending on the source; the desk is at the Aracoeli entrance.

## What is the Vittoriano?

It honours **Victor Emmanuel II**, the first king of unified Italy. Architect **Giuseppe Sacconi** won the design competition in 1884, and building took **fifty years, 1885–1935**; the monument was inaugurated in **1911** for the 50th anniversary of unification.

It's enormous — about **135 metres** wide and **70 metres** high, or 81 metres to the top of the bronze **quadrigas**. Built of brilliant white **Botticino** marble, it stands out like snow against Rome's warm ochre roofs. Romans have never quite loved it, nicknaming it **'the typewriter'** and **'the wedding cake'**.

## What to see

- **Equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II** — gilded bronze about 12 metres high.
- **Quadrigas on the roof** — bronze chariots of Unity and Liberty.
- **Fountains of the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas** — at either side of the base.
- **Curved colonnade** — 16 columns on the top tier, with statues of Italy's regions.
- **Terrace of the Quadrigas** — the highest platform, reached by lift.
- **Museum of the Risorgimento** — inside, on 19th-century Italian unification.
- **Imperial Fora view** — from the side terraces towards the Colosseum.

> **Rules on the steps** This is a state monument: no sitting on the steps, eating, drinking or loud behaviour — guards will move you on. Wading in the fountains is banned, and bags are checked at the entrance.

## How to get to the Vittoriano

1. Walk from the Colosseum: 10 minutes along Via dei Fori Imperiali.
2. From the [Pantheon](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/pantheon): 10 minutes via Via del Plebiscito.
3. Buses 40, 64, 70 and 87 and tram 8 stop at Piazza Venezia.
4. The lift entrance is at the back, by the Aracoeli steps.

## Best time to visit

Afternoon light is best, especially **towards sunset**, when the sun sinks behind the domes and the city turns orange. Mornings are quieter and light the Colosseum well. In summer the lower terraces get hot — the white marble reflects the sun.

## Is the Vittoriano worth it?

Yes, for the **panorama** — nearly every landmark of the centre in one sweep, and a handy way to get your bearings on day one. Love it or hate it, you can't miss the building itself. To avoid paying, enjoy the free lower terraces or walk next door to the [Capitoline Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-hill).

## Before you go

Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.

- [ ] Bring a card or cash for the lift
- [ ] Find the lift entrance on the Aracoeli side
- [ ] Time it for late afternoon light
- [ ] Don't sit on the steps
- [ ] Combine with the Capitoline and the Forum

## Rome viewpoints: compare and choose

Places in Rome with a view, rated by YesGo.

- [Colosseum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/colosseum) — YesGo score 73/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · ≈ €18
- [St Peter's Basilica](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/st-peters-basilica) — YesGo score 71/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Free; dome ≈ €8–15
- [Roman Forum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/roman-forum) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
- [Circus Maximus](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/circus-maximus) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Spanish Steps](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/spanish-steps) — YesGo score 62/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free
- [Vittoriano](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/vittoriano) — YesGo score 61/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Terraces free; lift ≈ €12–18
- [Capitoline Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-hill) — YesGo score 58/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Castel Sant'Angelo](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/castel-sant-angelo) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €15–20
- [Palatine Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/palatine-hill) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
- [Quirinal Palace](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/quirinal-palace) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · Square free; tours by booking
- [Villa Borghese](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/villa-borghese) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free
- [Tempietto](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/tempietto) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Capitoline Museums](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-museums) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ €15–19.50
- [Pincio](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/pincio) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free
- [Aventine Keyhole](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/aventine-keyhole) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
- [Villa Medici](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/villa-medici) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Paid, scheduled tours

## Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline

The Vittoriano and its rooftop lift, then the Capitoline Hill and museums, and the Forum view from the terraces behind the city hall.

1. [Vittoriano](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/vittoriano) — YesGo score 61/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Terraces free; lift ≈ €12–18
2. [Capitoline Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-hill) — YesGo score 58/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
3. [Capitoline Museums](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-museums) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ €15–19.50
4. [Roman Forum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/roman-forum) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum

## Don't mix it up

The Vittoriano, the Altare della Patria and the Victor Emmanuel II Monument are all the same building. Palazzo Venezia, on the same square, is a separate Renaissance palace with its own museum.

## Tips

- The lower terraces are free and face Piazza Venezia.
- The lift entrance is at the back, by the Aracoeli steps.
- Sunset from the roof is the best view of the centre.
- No sitting on the steps.

## Questions

### How much is the Vittoriano lift?

About €12–18 depending on the source; the stairs and lower terraces are free.

### What are the Vittoriano opening hours?

Roughly 9:30–19:30 daily, with the last lift ride earlier.

### What can you see from the top?

A 360° view including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, the domes of the centre and St Peter's.

### Why is it called the 'typewriter'?

For its white bulk and rows of columns that look like keys; Romans also call it 'the wedding cake'.

### When was the Vittoriano built?

From 1885 to 1935; it was inaugurated in 1911.

### Where is the Vittoriano?

On Piazza Venezia at the foot of the Capitoline Hill.

### How long do you need?

About an hour including the lift.

## How we checked

History, dimensions and sculpture from English Wikipedia. Lift prices and hours differ between 2026 guides (€12–18) and weren't confirmed with the official price list — hence the 'checking' badge.

## Sources

- VIVE — Vittoriano e Palazzo Venezia (Italian Ministry of Culture)
- English Wikipedia, Victor Emmanuel II Monument

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