The Monument to Victor Emmanuel II is hard to miss, and we stopped here on our way back from the…read moreColosseum. We ended up taking our time walking around the building and the square around it, because at every corner there was something that made us stop for a second look. The whole area is a dream for anyone who enjoys history. Even though it's an enormous, modern structure compared to the ancient ruins nearby, it plays a major role in Italy's story as it honors Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy.
The bright white marble, the long staircases, the huge bronze statues, and the views from the terraces all add to its presence. Inside is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which gives the monument a more solemn side. We were both exhausted by the time we got there, but still didn't want to rush it. The only thing missing is more signs explaining what you're looking at; there's so much detail and so much history layered into one place. Still, it was a great experience and well worth the time to explore.