Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, War memorial at Altare della Patria, Rome, Italy.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a memorial within the Altare della Patria in Rome, where an eternal flame burns beneath the statue of the goddess Roma. The white marble slab rests on a raised platform accessible by wide steps from the main square.
A mother selected one unidentified body from eleven soldiers recovered from different World War I battlefields on October 28, 1921. The solemn burial took place a few days later on the fourth anniversary of the Italian victory.
Two military guards stand motionless on either side of the tomb, a sight that often causes visitors to pause and lower their voices. This form of honor guard follows strict protocol and represents the ongoing respect shown to those who fell without identification.
The monument is accessible daily, with the best viewing conditions in the morning when sunlight illuminates the white marble surfaces. The central location allows easy integration into a walking tour of the old city.
The flame is fed daily by hand with gas, a task that falls to one of the guard soldiers. The materials used in construction come from actual World War I battlefields, including stone from the Karst and Monte Grappa.
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