Designed by Giuseppe Sacconi himself, these columns are one of the most refined elements of the Monument, thanks also to the high-quality craftsmanship of Eugenio Maccagnani
Two pairs of triumphal columns are located at the beginning of the stairs leading to the propylaea. They were conceived by Giuseppe Sacconi Giuseppe Sacconi: the architect dedicated numerous drawings to these. They were already in place on 4th June 1911, the day the Monument was inaugurated. Each consists of a single block of Porta Santa Breccia marble that is 7 metres high. These are, therefore, rare exceptions to the prevailing dominance of Botticino marble in the Vittoriano.
The columns rest on bases consisting of two superimposed tiers. In the lower tier, Victories, ephebes and vegetable festoons alternate with oak leaves and intertwined ribbons; a decorative frieze with a helmet, festoons of oak leaves, ribbons and lotus flowers runs in the upper tier.
Among the bases, the two made by Eugenio Maccagnani (1852-1930) from Lecce deserve a special mention. Here, the friend and close collaborator of Giuseppe Sacconi demonstrated a truly high-quality craftsmanship, already highly appreciated by his contemporaries.
Each of the columns is adorned at the top by a winged Victory over a globe. Cesare Zocchi (1851-1922) and Mario Rutelli (1859-1943) created the two in front of the Propylaeum of Liberty; Adolfo Apolloni (1855-1923) and Nicola Catalamessa Papotti (1831-1910) the two in front of the Propylaeum of Unity.
Zocchi's Victory located on the side of the Piazzale del Bollettino, holds a harnessed sword with one hand and a laurel wreath with the other. Rutelli's Victory located on the side of Piazza Ara Coeli, bears a crown of oak leaves and a palm branch.
The Victory by Adolfo Apolloni (1855-1923), located towards the inside of the Monument, holds an upturned sword in one hand and waves with the other.
The Victory by Adolfo Apolloni (1855-1923), located towards the inside of the Monument, holds an upturned sword in one hand and waves with the other.
The Victory by Nicola Cantalamessa Papotti (1831-1910), positioned on the side of the Imperial Forums, bears a snake and a palm tree.
