The glass-lift roof
A 360-degree view over Rome: Forum, Colosseum and the city's domes — the closest you come to seeing Rome as a living map.
Alvesgaspar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ThePhotografer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paolo Villa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sjaak Kempe from Groningen, The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0
The vast white marble mass you cannot miss in central Rome: the monument to Victor Emmanuel II, first king of a united Italy. Built between 1885 and 1935 in a brilliant white marble unlike Rome's brown stone, it was promptly mocked by Romans as "the wedding cake" and "the typewriter" — both nicknames still in daily use. Beneath the huge bronze equestrian statue lies Italy's Unknown Soldier, since 1921, with a permanent honour guard and an eternal flame. Climbing the steps is free and gives an excellent view down Via dei Fori Imperiali to the Colosseum. The real secret is at the top: a glass lift rises to the roof terrace for a modest fee, and from there Rome opens up 360 degrees — and, as Romans joke, it is the city's finest view precisely because it is the only one that doesn't include the monument itself. Also step onto the Campidoglio terrace behind it for a free view over the entire Roman Forum.
A 360-degree view over Rome: Forum, Colosseum and the city's domes — the closest you come to seeing Rome as a living map.
An eternal flame and honour guard since 1921 — a solemn moment most visitors hurry past, and shouldn't.
A side passage leads to a terrace over the entire Roman Forum — completely free, and the best ruin view without a ticket.
Piazza Venezia, Rome
Piazza d'AracoeliA small square at the foot of the Capitoline Hill in Rome, where two famous stai2 minutes walk4.5
The Cordonata CapitolinaThe stair rising to the Piazza del Campidoglio on the Capitoline Hill, designed 2 minutes walk4.7
Piazza VeneziaRome's largest junction and the knot where every central road meets: Via dei For2 minutes walk
Trajan's ColumnA thirty-metre marble column raised in AD 113, wrapped in a carved frieze that w2 minutes walk4.9
Piazza del CampidoglioA square designed by Michelangelo in 1536 atop the Capitoline — holiest of Rome'2 minutes walk4.8Looking for halal food near Altare della Patria? There are several options nearby, from Moroccan and Indian kitchens to quick casual spots and places with a view. Confirm the halal status and opening hours before you go — these can change.
Hotel BaroccoA four-star hotel looking directly onto Piazza Barberini and Bernini's Triton Fo13 minutes walk · $$$$4.9The St. Regis RomeRome's oldest grand hotel and its most historic: opened in January 1894 as the G18 minutes walk · $$$$4.8Yes if your day is in central Rome: the view is wider than any other terrace and takes in the Forum and Colosseum in one frame. On a tight budget, the free steps and the Campidoglio terrace suffice.
Because its glaring white marble clashes with the city's colour, and because building it erased an entire medieval quarter. Over time it became part of Rome's identity — the mockery is now more local tradition than rejection.