Rome's Vittoriano Monument Sinking Due to Geology
The Vittoriano monument in Rome, symbol of Italian unity, is slowly sinking due to its unstable geological foundation. A study by Nhazca, La Sapienza University, and the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Ispra) analyzed over 300 radar images from European and Italian satellites between 2002 and 2019. The northwest side sinks a few tenths of a millimeter per year, causing a 5-millimeter height difference over two decades and cracks on the west facade. The monument was built on alluvial soils with soft sediments, unlike its stable eastern side. Alessandro Brunetti, Nhazca's director, notes satellites enable monitoring without physical contact. Stabilizing materials will be injected into the subsoil, and digital surveillance will continue. The sinking is imperceptible to the naked eye but detected by satellites, offering a preventive approach compared to the 2025 collapse of Torre dei Conti that killed a worker.
Key facts
- The Vittoriano monument in Rome is sinking a few tenths of a millimeter per year.
- The sinking was discovered by a study using satellite radar images from 2002 to 2019.
- The study involved Nhazca, La Sapienza University, and Ispra.
- The northwest side sinks while the east side remains stable.
- The height difference has reached nearly 5 millimeters in twenty years.
- Cracks have appeared on the west facade.
- The cause is alluvial soil with soft sediments under the unstable part.
- Stabilizing materials will be injected into the subsoil.
Entities
Institutions
- Nhazca
- La Sapienza University
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Ispra)
- European Space Agency (Envisat)
- Italian Space Agency (Cosmo-SkyMed)
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Piazza Venezia
- Torre dei Conti
- Colosseum