The Vittoriano, also known as the Altare della Patria or Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, was inaugurated in 1911 to honor the first king of the newly united Italy. Today, in addition to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Museo Centrale del Risorgimento (Museum of Italian Unification), and the Sacrario delle Bandiere gallery of Italian military flags, the enormous building houses a large exhibition space in the eastern wing (Ala Brasini), which is used as a venue for temporary exhibitions. For one of the best views in the city, take the panoramic Roma dal Cielo elevator, which was added to the building in 2007, up to the rooftop Terrazza delle Quadrighe.
The Vittoriano dominates the central Piazza Venezia square near the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and is included in many small-group walking tours of Rome, or guided tours by bike or car. The monument is particularly striking at night, so consider joining an evening tour to see its white-marble staircase and dramatically lit facade.