187020 September 1870 · Rome

Capture of Rome and the end of the Papal States

Photograph of the breach in Rome's Aurelian Walls near Porta Pia, made in 1870 — Archival image: Gioacchino Altobelli. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When the French garrison protecting the Pope left to fight Prussia, Italian troops shelled the Aurelian Walls and entered Rome through a breach beside Porta Pia. A vote joined the city to the Kingdom of Italy, which made it the capital in 1871. Pope Pius IX refused to accept the loss, and popes called themselves prisoners in the Vatican until 1929.

Sites

Site 1: Breach of Porta PiaA column marking the breach in the walls, beside the Bersaglieri museum in the gate.Map ↗
Site 2: Quirinal PalaceThe popes' palace taken over by Italy's kings, now the President's residence.Map ↗
Site 3: VittorianoThe white monument to Victor Emmanuel II, first king of united Italy.Map ↗

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