The Ceremonial Calendar
4 November — National Unity and Armed Forces Day
4 November is the most solemn date in the Vittoriano's calendar. On this day, the anniversary of Italy's victory in the First World War, the President of the Republic lays a laurel wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremony follows a precise protocol:
- The Head of State descends from his car in Piazza Venezia
- Walks on foot across the square to the crypt
- Personally lays the wreath
- Observes a minute of silence before the Eternal Flame
- Watches the ceremonial changing of the guard
The square is open to the public, but the front rows are reserved for military delegations, relatives of the fallen and institutional authorities.
2 June — Republic Day
2 June celebrates the 1946 referendum in which Italians chose the Republic. The main ceremony takes place at the Imperial Fora with the military parade, but the Vittoriano hosts its own floral ceremony and remains open with extended free access. The Risorgimento Museum organises temporary exhibitions related to unified and republican history during this period.
25 April — Liberation Day
The anniversary of liberation from Nazi-Fascism (1945) is observed with a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This date, enshrined by law in 1946, carries both political and institutional significance: the Resistance and the Vittoriano intersect symbolically in the identity of the anti-fascist Republic.
Other Institutional Occasions
Visits by foreign heads of state: Italian diplomatic protocol requires that visiting leaders lay a wreath at the Unknown Soldier before bilateral meetings. The Vittoriano is the first stop of the ceremonial itinerary.
Remembrance Day (10 February): commemoration of the victims of the foibe massacres and Istrian-Dalmatian exiles. Since 2004 this includes a ceremony at the Vittoriano.
Holocaust Memorial Day (27 January): ceremonies for victims of the Shoah with institutional participation in the Vittoriano complex.
The Civic Meaning of the Ceremonies
The ceremonies at the Vittoriano serve a precise function in Italian democratic life: they renew the founding pact of the nation. The presence of the President of the Republic — a non-partisan figure, guardian of the Constitution — on these dates signals that the monument belongs to no party but to the entire community.
This was not always self-evident. Under Fascism the Vittoriano was a liturgical space of the regime, with Mussolini addressing crowds from the balcony of Palazzo Venezia. The Republic gradually restored the monument to its original function: commemorating the fallen without political distinction.
How to Attend the Ceremonies
The main ceremonies are public and free of charge. For 4 November and 2 June, it is advisable to:
- Arrive at least an hour early to secure a good position
- Bring a photo ID (security checks are possible)
- Expect the temporary closure of some areas of the monument
- Check the programme on the website of the Presidency of the Republic (quirinale.it)
The special changing of the guard on 4 November draws large crowds: arriving 30 minutes early guarantees good visibility.
With a Private Driver
Reach the Vittoriano with a private driver. From your hotel, airport or station — direct and on time. Service from €49. → Book at myromedriver.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can visitors attend the 4 November ceremony? Yes, the square is open to the public. The front rows are reserved for authorities, but the rest of the square is freely accessible.
Do the ceremonies affect visiting hours? During ceremonies, some areas may be temporarily closed. The Terrace of the Quadrigas usually remains accessible before and after the ceremonies.
Why does the President lay the wreath at the Unknown Soldier rather than another monument? The Unknown Soldier represents all Italian fallen without distinction: he is the most inclusive and least divisive symbol the Republic could choose for its official commemorations.
Article no. 193 — TIER S — MON-10 Altar of the Fatherland / Vittoriano Type: HISTORICAL Words: ~610