You can hardly walk through Rome without catching at least a glimpse of the Altare della Partia. It has earned the nicknames of the Typewriter and the Wedding Cake. It is massive in stature, even compared to some of the most magnificent buildings, churches, and monuments in the city of Rome. It is undeniably beautiful with its clean white columns, intricate carvings, and towering statues. The view of Rome from the top of the building is absolutely breathtaking. It was originally built in 1925 to honor Victor Emmanuel, the king who was the first to rule a united Italy. Despite the intentions to honor the Risorgimento, there is much controversy surrounding the building. Its white color is seen as too stark for the rustic look of Rome. Its boxy shape and lack of a dome are said to make it not fit within Roman style. It also took up a large area of Capitoline Hill. This shows how sacred the landscape of Rome is to the people who live here. It also shows Rome’s struggle between protecting the past and looking to the future. Rome has a constant tension between the ancient and the modern, and the Altare della Patria is the perfect example of this conflict.