Page 25 - Clipper Cruise Book

Altar of the Fatherland

Near the Roman Forum and across from the Imperial Forum is the eclectic
Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, known as the Altare della Patria (the
wedding cake as the local’s like to call it). It was built to commerate King Victor
Emmanuele and the unification of Italy. The monument is home to the Tomb of the
Unknown Solider with the eternal flame burning. An elevator at the rear of the
monument goes to a viewpoint at the top.

Ponte Rotto

Just three minutes from our guest house (the beige building behind the bridge) is the
Ponte Rotto (“Broken Bridge”), built in 179 AD, making it the oldest stone bridge in
Rome. Ponte Rotto was built to replace a wooden bridge built in the 2nd century BC
and used until 1598. The only part that has survived the centuries is an arch. The
Ponte Palatino next to it was built in 1887.

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