We were encouraged to go on a scavenger hunt of sorts to find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Altare della Patria. While the point of the exercise was that this room is essentially hidden and therefore often missed by visitors, I actually thought that the placement of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was appropriate. Though I am not a fan of the vast secular monument which greets the eye practically anywhere in the city, this little Christian element buried within it feels like the heart of the beast. This incorporation of the spiritual, as well as the quiet concession of Vittorio Emmanuelle II’s burial within the Pantheon, is evidence of unsustainable nature of a completely secular world vision. While it may sound cool and appeal to the insatiability of human pride, any serious consideration will reveal the empty, hollow nature of this boastful perspective, but some people are happy with the world merely as it is presented to them and make no effort to discover what it really is.
“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.” -Machiavelli, The Prince
This perfectly mimics the building itself. Most visitors only see the secular exterior, and most of them see only an elevated platform for panoramas or a convenient backdrop for another picture of themselves rather than even engaging in the picture of the world which it tries to paint of the unity of Italy devoid of the influence of the Church. Only those who are motivated enough to explore or intentionally go looking will find the sanctuary within. It’s technically free and open to the public, but its position gives it a built-in protection mechanism so that its integrity is protected from those who would not bother to acknowledge it’s significance. This space build to honor God and the memory of the deceased deserves the respect of its visitors, and its placement practically ensures it receives this treatment. While I think it would be ideal if everyone were the kind of person who could interact properly with this space so that it wouldn’t need such protection, I don’t think that is the case, so I appreciate the air of reverence that is set aside for this niche.
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