The World's Most Famous Mausoleums
The World's Most Famous Mausoleums
Mausoleums are large, free-standing burial sites that entomb one or more people. Most mausoleums are associated with royalty and/or heads of state. The word originated in the 4th century BC, when Persian Governor "Mausolus" had a grand tomb built for himself. Let's examine some of the world's most famous mausoleums.
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal isn't just India's most famous building and a fantastic tourist attraction. It's also a mausoleum. Emperor Shah Jahan built it in 1632, two years after the death of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the building's namesake. It was completed in 1648. The direct translation of "Taj Mahal" is "Crown Palace".
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Mausoleum Of The First Qin Emperor
The first emperor of the Qin Dynasty in China was Qin Shi Huang. He died in 210 BCE—and to commemorate the Emperor, a mausoleum was built over a 38-year period from 246 to 208 BCE. This mausoleum is the largest in the world, spanning over 20 square miles.
The Tomb Of Lenin
The leader of the Russian Revolution, Vladimir Lenin is entombed in Moscow in a huge mausoleum, one of the only ones in the world, where his body lies on-display, embalmed and maintained by the Russian state. Located in Moscow's Red Square, the Tomb attracts millions of visitors every year and, since 1924, has been a permanent fixture for one of the most pivotal figures of the 20th century.
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The Mausoleum Of Augustus
The Romans had a thing for mausoleums, beginning with that of their very first emperor, Augustus—who became emperor after the death of Julius Caesar. Augustus had the tomb built in 28 BCE. It is located on the Piazza Augustus Imperatore, which runs along the banks of the Tiber River. It has recently been significantly restored following years of neglect.
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