The 'Capture of Rome'

Porta Pia

Porta Pia After the Bombardment

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On September 20th 1870, papal control of the Eternal City, which had lasted for hundreds of years, came to an end with what came to be called 'La Presa di Roma' ('The Taking of Rome'). 

Although the Kingdom of Italy was created on March 17th 1861, Rome remained a separate entity under the control of the Holy See. This all came to an end when, after a three-hour-long bombardment, the infantry corps of the Bersaglieri breached the Aurelian Walls at Porta Pia.

Less than two weeks later, on October 2nd, a plebiscite was held in Rome to decide whether the city should become part of the Kingdom of Italy. The result was a resounding 'yes'.

The Via Pia, the road leading from the Porta Pia to the centre of the city, was duly renamed Via XX Settembre. 

A grand monument to the Bersaglieri stands outside Porta Pia, at the beginning of Via Nomentana. 

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Outer face of the Porta Pia by V. Vespignani

Monument to the Bersaglieri, Via Nomentana