Rome | Piazza Venezia Must-Visit

🟣 Piazza Venezia is a square located in Rome, Italy, named after the nearby Palazzo Venezia. It sits at the foot of Capitoline Hill, opposite the Vittoriano monument, and is close to the Roman Forum. 🟣 The square is named after the 15th-century palace built by Cardinal Pietro Barbo, which was later donated to the Republic of Venice by Pope Pius IV in 1560, making it the site of the Venetian Embassy. This is why it is still called Palazzo Venezia today. The square houses the National Institute of Archaeology and Art History and the National Museum of Palazzo Venezia, preserving works from various eras and styles. 🟣 In 1878, a few years after the unification of Italy, the Italian Parliament decided to build a monument for the recently deceased King Vittorio Emanuele II, celebrating the entire Renaissance movement alongside him. The architecture was inspired by the great temples of classical antiquity: broad stairs lead up to the Altare della Patria, featuring a grand portico and majestic colonnade topped by a bronze chariot symbolizing the unity and freedom of the homeland, along with a magnificent gilded bronze equestrian statue dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele II. 🟣 Beneath the statue of the Roman goddess, the remains of an unknown soldier are buried to honor many soldiers who died in war, whose names or burial sites are unknown. The coffin is placed on a cannon carriage and housed in the chariot designed by architect Ciccari. The central theme of the entire monument is represented by two inscriptions at the entrance: "PATRIAE UNITATI" and "CIVIUM LIBERTATI," which translate to "For the Unity of the Fatherland" and "For the Freedom of Citizens." #Italy #Rome #PiazzaVenezia