The story of the Unknown Soldier is the story of an unnamed hero, a symbol of collective sacrifice and heroism demonstrated during World War I.
The Unknown Soldier
The Unknown Soldier represents an unidentified soldier who died in war, whose identity is unknown or unconfirmed. Many countries use this symbol to honor the memory of all fallen and missing, nameless soldiers. The tomb of the unknown soldier is usually located in a place of national significance. It becomes an important site for commemorative ceremonies and tributes to all those who have sacrificed their lives for their country, without distinction of rank, origin, or individual recognition.
The idea of burying an “unknown soldier” emerged after World War I. The devastation of the battlefields and the evolution of warfare techniques led to a high number of deaths and missing persons during this conflict, many of whom remained unidentified. The tomb of the unknown soldier serves to remember the collective sacrifice of fallen soldiers and to symbolize national unity in the memory of the human cost of war.
Many countries guard the tomb of the unknown soldier with great respect, serving as a place of memory and reflection. For example, in Italy, the Unknown Soldier rests at the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome, while in the United States, it is located at Arlington National Cemetery. These monuments are often the focus of official celebrations, such as Armistice Day or Memorial Day, and serve to remember not only those who fell in World War I but all those who have lost their lives in subsequent conflicts.
The story of the Unknown Soldier serves as a symbol of nameless heroes.
The story of the Unknown Soldier in Italy reflects a deep sense of patriotism. But it also honors the nameless heroes who died for the nation. Like many other European nations, Italy faced the tragic reality of thousands of soldiers killed in combat during the World War I, many of whom remained anonymous.
The tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome, is not just a place of memory. It has become a strong symbol of national unity and respect for the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and Italian identity. The decision to dedicate such an honor to an unidentified soldier reveals a deep sense of collective recognition for the countless lives lost. Despite the forgetfulness of their names, the country’s history bears the memory of their sacrifice.
The context is the end of World War I.
World War I was a conflict of devastating proportions, leaving an indelible mark on Europe and the world. When Italy entered the war in 1915, hundreds of thousands of its young people lost their lives in bloody battles, leaving them buried in anonymous graves. The unidentified soldiers from this generation became a symbol of the human cost of war.
In the post-war period, Italy, like many other nations, sought a way to honor these nameless heroes. The story of the Unknown Soldier is not just the tale of a symbolic gesture but also an act of respect and recognition for all those soldiers who had fallen without their names being known. The decision to entomb an unknown soldier at the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome was a moment of profound national emotion, symbolizing unity in loss and memory.
The selection of an unknown soldier
The choice of the Unknown Soldier was not a mere bureaucratic act but a moment of intense national emotional involvement. The Ministry of War established a special commission to select 11 unknown soldiers’ remains from various front-line locations. On October 28, 1921, the commission transported these remains to the Basilica of Aquileia. This was done in preparation for a ceremony that would select the coffin for entombment at the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome.
The Commission is responsible for choosing the remains.
A special commission of the Ministry of War was tasked with selecting the bodies of the unknown soldiers. Lieutenant General Giuseppe Paolini, Inspector of Honor for the bodies of those fallen in war, was its president. It also included both military and civilian figures, including Colonel Vincenzo Paladini and Major Doctor Nicola Fabrizi. Their task was to select the remains of eleven soldiers who had fallen on the front lines of the Great War. Each soldier came from a different area of the conflict, representing all the Italian soldiers who had fallen and were still missing.
The remains of the bodies came from all the main places on the Italian front. The various armies had fought here, including the Royal Navy. However, the commission’s responsibilities extended beyond simply identifying the remains. It also had to ensure that each selected soldier was truly unknown, without any sign of recognition, so that they could fairly represent all the unidentified soldiers.
Maria Bergamas
Maria Bergamas, mother of Antonio Bergamas, a fallen and unidentified soldier, had the task of selecting the body of an unknown soldier. Her choice was a personal tribute to the lost son. It symbolized the grief of all Italian mothers who had lost their children in war. Maria Bergamas’s decision became a symbolic act, representing the loss and mourning of an entire nation.
The act of choosing the coffin, a moment loaded with meaning and emotion, took place in a respectful silence, interrupted only by the echo of bells and prayers. This gesture not only honored the sacrifice of a single soldier. This act paid tribute to all Italian soldiers who had fought and lost their lives, remaining anonymous in history but not forgotten in the heart of the nation.
The commemorative journey from Aquileia to Rome.
The journey of the coffin of the Unknown Soldier from the Friuli Venezia Giulia city of Aquileia to Rome was a moment of profound national emotion. A special train transported the coffin of the unknown soldier. The train departed on October 29, 1921. At each station, a silent crowd welcomed the convoy to symbolize the collective participation of a grieving nation.
Only the music of “La Leggenda del Piave” could break the silence. The route across Italy was not just a physical transfer. It was an emotional journey that united the country in memory and respect. At every stop, thousands of citizens gathered in silence, paying tribute to the coffin covered by the Italian flag. It was a symbol of anonymous heroism and collective sacrifice.
The arrival in Rome
On November 2, the train arrived in Rome. An immense crowd and the highest state officials, including the king and the royal family, welcomed the train. The route from the train to the Altar of the Fatherland became a procession. This procession united all Italians in the common memory of the fallen and in the celebration of their heroism.
The burial took place at the Altar of the Fatherland.
On November 4, 1921, on the third anniversary of the end of the Great War, the coffin with the remains of the Unknown Soldier was entombed at the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome. This event marked a moment of historic national unification. King Victor Emmanuel III and the highest state officials accompanied the coffin in a solemn procession to its final resting place.
A tomb under the equestrian statue of king Vittorio Emanuele II holds the Unknown Soldier at the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome. From that moment on, the monument took on an even deeper meaning. In fact, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier became a national landmark. At its feet, citizens could express their respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made in war. The constant presence of an honor guard and the laying of laurel wreaths symbolize the perpetual memory of these nameless heroes.
The story of the Unknown Soldier is filled with curiosities and anecdotes.
The story of the Unknown Soldier is rich in fascinating details and lesser-known facts.
- The choice of remains. The special commission selected 11 unidentified soldiers’ remains from the most representative locations on the Italian front. This choice aimed to include the different army departments and areas of combat. This choice reflected the breadth and variety of clashes and sacrifices made during the war.
- The role of Maria Bergamas. The choice of Maria Bergamas as the mother who would select the Unknown Soldier was not accidental. Being the mother of a fallen and unidentified soldier, her choice represented the mourning of all Italian mothers.
- The music during the journey. “La Leggenda del Piave” was the only authorized music during the coffin’s journey from Aquileia to Rome. This piece, which became a symbol of patriotism, accompanied the Unknown Soldier throughout his journey.
- Popular participation. The journey of the Unknown Soldier through Italy saw immense popular participation. Crowds gathered along the route and at the train stations to pay him tribute.
- The tomb and its surveillance. Two soldiers belonging to the Italian armed forces constantly guard the tomb of the unknown soldier. This symbolizes the respect and continuous tribute that the nation dedicates to its heroes.
Story of the Unknown Soldier Gallery
