A mausoleum is a large, impressive tomb built to honor a prominent individual. Mausoleums are often ornate and located in prominent places, such as cemeteries or public parks. They typically contain the remains of the person they are honoring, as well as any other family members who wish to be interred there. Many mausoleums are decorated with statues and other works of art, as well as inscriptions detailing the individual’s achievements.

 

The first:

The first known mausoleum was built by King Mausolos of Caria in modern-day Turkey around 350 BC. This tomb took seven years to build and was decorated with sculptures by the most famous Greek artists of the time. After the death of King Mausolos, his wife Artemisia completed the building and added her own decorations, including an inscription that describes her husband as one of history’s greatest rulers. The term “mausoleum” is now used to refer to any elaborate tomb, regardless of its size or location. Over time, many notable individuals have been buried in mausoleums, including Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, and Frank Sinatra.

 

The different types:

Community Mausoleums: Public mausoleums are built and maintained by a community or organization, rather than by an individual family. They can be found in cemeteries all over the world, and often house the remains of multiple people from different families.

Private Mausoleums: They are often much smaller and more intimate than public ones. They are built to accommodate the needs of a specific family, and as such, they can be customized to suit the family’s preferences. Private mausoleums can be constructed in a variety of styles, from traditional to modern.

Garden Mausoleums: Instead of being in an indoor setting, garden mausoleums are usually situated outdoors. They may be adorned with plants, flowers, statues, or other peaceful memorials that create a calming and restful space for anyone who visits. They’re usually readily available and well-kept, which is why they’re known as “gardens of rest.”

Lawn Crypts: Lawn crypts are a type of burial chamber that is built into the ground. They are typically used to bury one or two people and can be found in many different types of cemeteries. Lawn crypts are often considered to be a more affordable option than traditional above-ground burial, and they offer a number of advantages.

Sarcophagus Mausoleum: A sarcophagus mausoleum sits partly above ground and partly beneath the surface. The majority of its crypts are below ground, with one being situated above ground. These are most often found in European cemeteries from the 19th century onwards.

Vestibule Mausoleums: The word “vestibule” comes from the Latin word for “entrance hall”, which is fitting as these mausoleums usually have a small entrance area or room. These types of mausoleums are typically used to house the remains of more than one person, and often have multiple chambers or rooms.

 

Famous mausoleums

Taj Mahal: Built between 1632 and 1653, the Taj Mahal is perhaps one of the most iconic and best-known mausoleums in the world. Located on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, India, it was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The Great Pyramid of Giza: The Great Pyramid is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids at Giza. It was built for Pharaoh Khufu over 4,500 years ago and is still an imposing structure today.

The tomb of the unknown soldier: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument dedicated to all of the soldiers who have died in battle without their bodies being identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, USA, and was first erected in 1921.

The Terracotta Army: The statues, which number over 7,000 in all, are believed to be life-size representations of Emperor Qin’s real army that he had buried with him when he died. The incredible detail put into each statue shows just how highly valued soldiers were during this time period – even in death.

 

Modern Day

In recent years, many new types of mausoleums have been developed to meet the needs of individuals or families. For example, some mausoleums include interment spaces for family pets, as well as green burial options that use eco-friendly materials and methods. Additionally, many mausoleums are built with energy efficiency in mind, such as using natural light to reduce the need for electricity or incorporating an underground geothermal system to heat and cool the building. These design features help increase their desirability and make them more eco-friendly.

Despite these advances, mausoleums continue to be controversial because of concerns about pollution and environmental damage caused by ventilation systems required to keep human remains from decomposing too quickly inside a sealed tomb. However, many people believe that these objections are outweighed by the beauty, significance, and grandeur of mausoleums. After all, it is hard to deny that a large tomb built in honor of an important person has more meaning than a simple plot in a traditional cemetery.