Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II

The Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II is a 39-meter tall bronze and granite structure located at the intersection of Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Corso Galileo Ferraris in western Turin. The construction rises prominently above the surrounding area with sculptural elements adorning its base and pedestal.

King Umberto I commissioned this monument to honor his father Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy, with construction spanning from 1882 to 1899. The completion occurred during a period of rapid urban development and consolidation of the newly formed Italian Kingdom.

The monument displays sculptural groups at its base representing unity, brotherhood, work, and freedom, which reflect the values of the newly unified Italian state. Visitors can observe how these symbolic figures communicate the ideals that shaped modern Italy through the medium of public sculpture.

The monument is situated at an easily accessible location in central Turin and can be visited throughout the year since it stands on a public plaza. The site serves as a helpful landmark for visitors to orient themselves in this western section of the city.

Local residents affectionately call this well-known landmark 'the King on the Roofs' due to its elevated position rising above the entire city skyline. This informal name reveals how deeply rooted the monument is in the everyday perception of Turin's inhabitants.

Location: Turin

Inception: 1880s

Height: 39 m

Made from material: bronze, granite

Website: http://comune.torino.it/papum/user.php?context=opere&submitAction=dettaglio&ID_opera=M039

GPS coordinates: 45.06560,7.67090

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03