Vittorio Emanuele II Monument & Rome from the Sky Elevator

The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in Rome is known by few nicknames, and most of them aren’t flattering. Alternately known locally as “The Vittoriano” (the only non-derisive nickname I know of), “The Typewriter,” “The False Teeth,” or “The Wedding Cake,” the enormous monument was built in the early 20th century to honor a unified Italy’s first king. Later, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed inside, along with a museum to Italian Reunification.

Still, Romans - almost to a person - hate it.

Italians are concerned with aesthetics, and the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (as it’s called in Italian) is considered an eyesore. Constructed of bright, white marble, the monument is invariably too bright (if it’s recently been cleaned) or conspicuously dirty (if it’s had even a few days to soak up Rome’s ever-present pollution). It’s thought by many to be far too large for the space it occupies, therefore making it seem a bit garish.

But the monument’s position in the historic center, right next to the Roman Forum, makes it a monument that tourists can visit easily. Until 2007, a trip to the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument consisted of a walk up the steps, a peek at the eternal flame on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and perhaps a stroll through the Reunification museum (Museo del Risorgimento). That year the panoramic elevator opened, and now there’s actually a really good reason to visit the monument, and even to spend a little time there.

Undoubtedly the coolest attraction at the Vittoriano is the glass-walled elevator to the top, called “Rome from the Sky.” From the top of the monument, you get one of the best views of Rome from anywhere in the city. It overlooks the Forum, so you’ll get a great bird’s-eye view of that, plus you can see over much of the surrounding area. And if you happen to be one of the people who doesn’t like the look of the Vittoriano itself, then you’re in luck - it won’t be in any of your photos.

The trip up to the Quadrighe Terrace (as it’s called) in the elevator isn’t cheap, and you’ve got to climb some stairs to even get to the level where the elevator starts. But the views are spectacular, and the ticket also gets you into the Risorgimento museum and Palazzo Venezia across the square.

>> You’ll find visitor information for both the Vittoriano and the Rome from the Sky elevator at the bottom of this post

What do you think? Do you like the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument? Or do you think it’s an eyesore?

Some Views from the Top of the Vittoriano

Rome from the Sky Elevator (Roma dal Cielo Ascensore) Visitor Information

Admission: In 2026, €18 full price, €5 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25 and free for under-18s. The ticket covers the Panoramic Terrace, the Museo Centrale del Risorgimento and Palazzo Venezia, and it’s valid for seven days. Everyone gets in free on the first Sunday of the month.
Hours: Daily, 9:30 to 19:30 (last entry 19:00)
How to Get There: Enter the Vittoriano from Piazza Venezia. The ticket office is inside the monument, on the Terrazza Italia, and the elevator leaves from the upper terraces. The official VIVE website has the details.
Good to Know: If you’re unable to negotiate the steps up to the elevator’s entrance, you can ask one of the guards at the doors on the lower level about the private internal elevator, which will take you to the Rome from the Sky elevator entrance’s level.

Vittoriano Visitor Information

Location: Piazza Venezia
Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, 9:30 to 19:30 (last entry 18:45)
How to Get There: Lots of buses stop in or around the busy Piazza Venezia, so just make sure that stop is on your bus line and you’re good. The nearest Metro stops are Colosseo on Line B and Colosseo/Fori Imperiali on Line C.

original photos, top to bottom, by: Walter Paranteau, IceNineJon, querin.rene, Lost Bob, Lost Bob, bengal*foam