‘Roof of Rome’ - Spectacular terrace

New lifts take visitors to spectacular terrace.
ROME (ANSA) - Rome has dusted off one of the most spectacular views in the Eternal City, the so-called ‘Roof of Rome’.New lifts have been fitted to the top of the central Victor Emanuel Monument, a huge white neo-classical building that houses Italy’s Tomb to the Unknown Soldier. It is said to be the highest point in Rome.

The lifts lead to the Terrazza delle Quadrighe, a walkway between the two biggest attractions on the monument, a pair of bronze chariots driven by winged Victories.

“We find ourselves in one of the most extraordinary places in the world,” said Italian President Giorgio Napolitano as he unveiled the newly restored walkway ahead of its debut for Republic Day on June 2. “This panoramic terrace was always supposed to be open,” said Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli. “Then, unfortunately, they forgot about it. People only got up here when the unknown soldier’s body was brought here in 1921 and for the inauguration of the chariots in 1927″. “Now all that has changed, thanks to the project launched by (then) President (Carlo Azeglio) Ciampi in 2002″. “The view takes your breath away. It’s better than the Eiffel Tower,” he said.

The new elevators can whisk 12 people at a time, and 720 per hour, up to the terrace, which boasts one of the finest views of Rome. It costs seven euros a head - but visitors can choose to climb up the 196 steps from the highest terrace hitherto available, the
Terrazza della Caffetteria, at no charge.

Ciampi had the Terrazza della Caffetteria opened five years ago when he threw the long-closed monument open to the public amid a drive to stir more patriotism in Italians.

The Victor Emanuel Monument, or Vittoriano, was designed in 1885 and completed in 1935 as a tribute to the king under whom Italian reunification was achieved in the 19th century. Derided by architects because of its pomposity and overornamentation, it is a favourite with tourists. Romans have various nicknames for it including the Wedding Cake, the False Teeth and the Zuppa Inglese.

In 1941, the Allied troops who freed Rome dubbed it the Typewriter another nickname that has stuck.