What is a mausoleum?

A mausoleum is a large, above-ground structure that serves as a tomb or final resting place for the deceased. Mausoleums are typically made of stone or concrete and can be elaborate and ornate in design, often featuring columns, domes, and intricate carvings.

Mausoleums have been used for centuries by various cultures and civilizations as a way to honor and remember their departed loved ones. They are often used by wealthy or influential individuals or families who wish to have a prestigious and lasting memorial.

Mausoleums can vary in size and style, from small private structures to grand public mausoleums that house multiple tombs. They are often found in cemeteries or as standalone structures in dedicated memorial parks.

Some famous mausoleums include the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Turkey, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Westminster Abbey in London. Many mausoleums also feature crypts or burial chambers where the deceased are interred, as well as memorial plaques or inscriptions to commemorate their lives.