Top 10 Most Famous and Historically Significant Tombs in the World
Grandiose tombs from around the world.
A tomb is a place for the burial of the dead. Some people consider tombs or burial sites scary for they believe that the place is a dwelling place for ghost. On the other hand, many people consider them amazing and fascinating. Here are the 10 most interesting and historically important tombs in the world.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: Turkey
One single tomb that can be considered famous and significant is the Tomb of Mausolus. It is called Mausoleum of Mausolus or Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. It was a tomb built between 353 and 350 BC at Halicarnassus (present Bodrum, Turkey) for Mausolus, a satrap (governor) in the Persian Empire, and Artemisia II of Caria, his wife and sister. The structure was designed by the Greek architects Satyrus and Pythius. It stood approximately 45 meters (135 ft) in height, and each of the four sides was adorned with sculptural relief created by each one of four Greek sculptors – Leochares, Bryaxis, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus. The Mausoleum stood relatively intact until 1522 A.D., when it was ordered destroyed as an example of Pagan art.
The finished structure was considered to be such an aesthetic triumph that Antipater of Sidon identified it as one of his 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.
Hadrian’s Tomb: Rome, Italy
Another famous tomb is the Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as the Castel Sant’Angelo. It is a towering cylindrical building in Rome, initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum. The tomb of the Roman emperor Hadrian was erected on the right bank of the Tiber, between 135 and 139. Originally the mausoleum was a decorated cylinder, with a garden top and golden quadriga. Hadrian’s ashes were placed here a year after his death in 138, together with those of his wife Sabina, and his first adopted son, Lucius Aelius, who also died in 138. Following this, the remains of succeeding emperors were also placed here, the last recorded deposition being Caracalla in 217.
Lenin’s Tomb: Red Square – Moscow, Russia
A tomb that is significantly famous especially among the Russians is Lenin’s Mausoleum. It is also known as Lenin’s Tomb situated in Red Square in Moscow. This mausoleum is popular because the embalmed body of Lenin has been on public display there since the year he died in 1924 (with rare exceptions in wartime). It is the mausoleum that serves as the current resting place of Vladimir Lenin. Aleksey Schusev’s diminutive but monumental granite structure incorporates some elements from ancient mausoleums, such as the Step Pyramid and the Tomb of Cyrus the Great.
Taj Mahal: Agra, India
Undoubtedly, Taj Mahal is one of the most famous tombs worldwide. It is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, that was built under Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”
Grant’s Tomb: New York, USA
A tomb with great importance most especially among the Americans is General Grant National Memorial better known as Grant’s Tomb. It is a mausoleum containing the bodies of Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), an American Civil War General and the 18th President of the United States, and his wife, Julia Dent Grant (1826-1902). The tomb complex is a US Presidential Memorial in the Morning Heights neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. The structure is situated in a prominent location in Riverside Park overlooking the Hudson River.
Pantheon: Rome, Italy
Another important and with historical significance tomb is the Pantheon which was originally built for the all gods. Literally means “Temple of all the gods” is a building in Rome. It was rebuilt circa 125 AD during Hadrian’s reign. The intended degree of inclusiveness of this dedication is debated. The generic term pantheon is now applied to a monument in which illustrious dead are buried. Pantheon is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world. It has been in continuous use throughout its history.
Since the Renaissance the Pantheon has been used as a tomb. Among those buried there are the painter Raphael and Annibale Carracci, the composer Arcangelo Corelli, and the architect Baldassare Peruzzi. Also buried there are two kings of Italy: Vittorio Emmanuelle II and Umberto I, as well as Umberto’s Queen, Margherita.
7Westminster Abbey: London, UK
Looking at this structure, there is no way you will think that it’s a burial place. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and later British monarchs.
Aristocrats were buried inside chapels and monks and people associated with the Abbey were buried in the Cloisters and other areas. One of these was Geoffrey Chaucer, who was buried here as he had apartments in the Abbey where he was employed as master of the Kings Works. Other poets were buried around Chaucer in what became known as Poet’s Corner. These include John Milton, William Wordsworth, Thomas Gray, John Keats, Percy Bysshe, Robert Burns, William Blake, T.S. Elliot and Gerard Manley Hopkins and many others.
St. Peter’s Basilica: Vatican City
In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, was the first Bishop of Antioch, and later first and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. St. Peter’ is the most famous of Rome’s any churches.
There are over 100 tombs within St. Peter’s Basilica, many located in the Vatican grotto, beneath the Basilica. These include 91 popes, St. Ignatius of Antioch, Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, and the composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Exiled Catholic British royalty James Francis Edward Stuart and his two sons, Charles Edward Stuart and Henry Benedict Stuart, are buried here, having been granted asylum by Pope Clement XI. Also buried here are Maria Clementina Sobieska, wife of Charles Edward Stuart, and Queen Christina of Sweden, who abdicated her throne in order to convert to Catholicism. The most recent interment was Pope John Paul II, on April 8, 2005.
Tomb of Cyrus the Great: Iran
This ancient tomb excavated in Pasargadae, a city in ancient Persia, is believed to be the tomb of one of the most notable king of Persia – King Cyrus the Great. It is today an archeological site and one of only five of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. According to the Elamite cuneiform of the Persepolis fortification tablets the name was rendered as Batrakatas and the name in current usage derives from a Greek transliteration of an Old Persian Pathragada toponym of still-uncertain meaning.
Great Pyramid of Giza: Egypt
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only remaining member of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. It is also called Khufu’s Pyramid or the Pyramid of Khufu, and Pyramid of Cheops. This tomb with great popularity and historical significance is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for 4th Egyptian pharaoh Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.
The Tomb of Jesus Christ is not included on the list because it is still a subject of much controversy and scrutiny. Once it is proven that it was indeed the Tomb of Christ, it will surely be considered the tomb with the greatest significance and will surely escalate to the highest and unsurpassable degree of popularity.
One of the basic reasons why some of these magnificent tombs were built is because of people’s belief on life after death. Given the chance to choose before you pass away, where on these burial sites would you like to be buried?
For more related articles see
The World’s Most Remarkable Palaces and Their Amazing Features
World’s Notable Buildings with the Most Remarkable Domes
Best-Preserved and Surviving Roman Triumphal Arches
Famous Commemorative and Triumphal Arches in the World
World’s Most Historic and Notable Columns
The World’s Most Spectacular Obelisks
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User Comments
Unofre Pili
On September 19, 2008 at 8:49 am
Great piece of history. In the part of the dead, I cannot conceive any difference with one lying in such tombs of incredible magnificence and the other one who is simply resting in peace under an unknown and unmarked piece of land.
Lauren Axelrod
On September 19, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Great piece Norbert. I love learning about these types of places. It’s a great historical lesson for me as well as others.
Gerlaine
On September 19, 2008 at 5:58 pm
That shows you what I know. I thought the Taj Mahal was a church and I didn’t even know that tombs existed in the USA.
Very informative. Thanks Nobert!
PR Mace
On September 19, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Good article Nobert, I learned a lot. I would love to visit these places. You did leave out a very noble tomb. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington,D.C. I have seen it and it will leave a mark on your heart.
jesus
On September 21, 2008 at 4:03 pm
what about the pyramids at giza? arent those some of the most famous and historically significant anythings in the world?
nobert soloria bermosa
On September 21, 2008 at 5:04 pm
thanks Unofre,Lauren,Gerlaine, and Pam for the support,thanks guys for being there always,
Hi there Jesus,
the Great pyramid of Giza is included it’s on the second page,check it out,thanks
Alexa Gates
On September 21, 2008 at 6:04 pm
these would be nice places to visit
Kheng
On September 21, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Great article. Very informative. Thank you.
Loreta Dorington
On September 21, 2008 at 8:07 pm
God does not look on the kind of tombs where we are buried, but looks on our hearts and the good deeds we left behind. But one can’t deny that these tombs are indeed so magnificent, made for the dead, probably to somehow lessen the pain and sorrow of the people they left behind. Nevertheless, it is very ironic that the dead lay in castles, while many of the living have no permanent roof over their heads.
Morgana rae
On September 22, 2008 at 3:22 am
I love this stuff. I would’ve liked to see you include Newgrange in Ireland. It’s the burial place of the ancient Irish kings, and is older than the Egyptian pyramids.
Karen N
On September 22, 2008 at 8:12 am
Good article, that picture of Westminster Abbey is fantastic!
Joe P
On September 22, 2008 at 10:17 am
Napoleon’s tomb?
Significant impact on modern events. Especially those leading up to the 1st and 2nd World Wars
CHAN LEE PENG
On September 22, 2008 at 11:11 am
These spectacular tombs can be a spot of tourism attraction! Thanks for sharing.
tamanrasset
On September 22, 2008 at 12:17 pm
tombeau de la chretienne à cherchell algerie
tombeau de tinehinane à abalessa algerie
CW Lovestone
On September 22, 2008 at 1:08 pm
The architecture is beautiful.
Csilla
On September 22, 2008 at 5:07 pm
wow!
I wanna go to India!
Great work.
C. Jordan
On September 22, 2008 at 6:58 pm
“How peaceful and how powerful is the grave!” Byron
mae
On September 22, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Thanks for sharing this. I thought Egypt has the only most wondrous tombs.
Nelson Doyle
On September 23, 2008 at 12:57 am
Great article. Learned something new today and that is always good. Congratulations, for making it to the #1 on the homepage.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
josh
On September 23, 2008 at 8:24 am
Rachel’s Tomb? King David’s Tomb? Jesus’ Tomb..but who knows who is/was really buried (if anyone) at these sites.
Then there is the story of the tourist in the Holy Land who saw the Prophet Samuels tomb, Nebi Samuel, by Jerusalem at the beginning of his tour…after two weeks, at another location the tour guide excitingly pointed out the Tomb of Samuel..
Our attentive tourist exclaimed..Hey, I caught you on this one. Two weeks ago you said Samuel was buried some place else.
The guide explained..”Oh, that was First Samuel’s and this is Second Samuel’s ”
The Joke works great in Hebrew..and i imagine that English speaking Churchgoers will get it as well.
Darla Smith
On September 23, 2008 at 8:48 am
This is a very interesting article, which I enjoyed reading very much.
rick
On September 23, 2008 at 11:01 am
Nice piece. It’s disappointing to know that the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was destroyed because of religious short-sightedness. Is there any end to human ignorance?
David Page
On September 23, 2008 at 11:35 am
I too am fascinated by tombstones, This item caught my eye and I am not disappointed. Great stuff!
thanks.
Liane Schmidt
On September 23, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Another exceptional article! The pictures are amazing.
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Leo Reyes
On September 24, 2008 at 6:33 am
Great article.
SYED AMAAN AHMAD
On September 25, 2008 at 3:07 am
amazing article, I liked it. It did help ME a lot. Rock on!
Ethan
On September 25, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Great post! U should also add the Shrine of Bab in Israel. It is a magnificent shrine.
https://bahai.bwc.org/pilgrimage/Intro/visit_3.asp
Michael Knowth
On September 26, 2008 at 7:44 am
Good list, did you consider Newgrange the 5000 year old megalithic tomb in Ireland http://www.newgrange.com
Michael.
mental511
On September 26, 2008 at 9:14 am
what about the Parthenon in Athens, Greece [HELLAS] or the ancient theatre of Epidaurus also in Greece? what about the amazing creations in Peru?
abdul latif
On September 26, 2008 at 11:35 am
beautiful collection of tombs with a fascinating story behind them. Sadly taj Mahal in India is facing threat of demolition by Hindu fanatic hordes who think Emperor Shahjahan demolished a temple and built Taj Mahal, which is a blatant lie invented by Hindu bigots.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas
On September 26, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Awesome structures, and great write-up as ever, Nobert. It’s the first time I saw some of them and I especially love the Hadrian’s Tomb and Lenin’s Tomb. Of course, Taj Mahal, Westminster Abbey and St. Peter’s Basilica are timeless classics. Thanks for sharing.
rahul
On September 28, 2008 at 5:01 am
Pyramids? surely they are the best known of all tombs.
matt24
On September 28, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I like the photography.
barneslow
On September 28, 2008 at 4:49 pm
that was pretty interesting I must adimit
Yasmeen Jumani
On September 28, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Very interesting and informative
Glynis Smy
On February 14, 2009 at 1:24 am
Another great article!
Juancav
On February 14, 2009 at 7:23 am
Fabolous tombs,incredible architecture.
MJPatrick
On February 15, 2009 at 8:50 am
Awesome architecture!
eddiego65
On May 3, 2009 at 8:27 am
Magnificent piece of work, bro.
Togovi
On July 3, 2009 at 8:48 am
There are no factories in Togo and people are suffering because they have no job and no food and no way treat themselves when they got sick. Thousands are dying of malaria in Togo.
I think before we build casttles for the deads, we have to help improve peoples life by putting money together to build factories, roads, schools, hospitals and develop modern agriculture especialy in the republic of Togo.
Common
On September 29, 2009 at 1:34 am
How about the tomb of the prophet of Islam Muhammed in Medina? Surely a historical figure of huge significance whose legacy has been relevant throughout the 1400 years since his death.
Sarah the GoatVet
On October 14, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Informative and interesting article. Wonderful pictures, very clear and focused. I absolutely love ancient history. I do believe people are degressing through the generations, not progressing. What buildings built today could withstand centuries? I am in awe of ancient structures and architecture.
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