Famous Marble Buildings
Classic Stone Last Longer
Marble is a durable, versatile stone that has been loved for centuries. The reach of both marble and limestone is far and wide – from Asia and Europe to the Americas, limestone and marble is at once a luxury, and a necessity. People have leaned on different types of limestone for their beloved homes, businesses, and public use buildings. Marble and limestone can be cut and carved, making it an ideal material for sculptors and artists, but can withstand extreme weather while maintaining its beauty, making it an ideal material for exterior and interior walls. Several famous buildings all over the world are made of this tough-but-lovely stone, and you may not have known that the material you’re considering for your home has some famous roots.
The Colosseum – Rome, Italy
The Colosseum today is a popular tourist attraction, but at the height of the Roman Empire, it was an arena where prisoners of war would battle for their right to live. Russell Crowe’s famous lead character in the film Gladiator found himself in this very place, fighting for his life against wild predators and larger-than-life men in the same position he was. The ruins of the colosseum still stand after the fall of one of the world’s most powerful empires, and the years of war that followed.
The Taj Mahal – Agra, India
India’s most famous landmark is actually a mausoleum – a burial place for the favorite wife of Shah Jahan, a monarch of the Mughal dynasty of 17-century India. Tons of marble were imported to build the Taj Mahal, and it sits between two long pools, and behind a beautiful garden. Millions flock to the graceful and beautiful structure each year, making it one of the world’s most-visited tourist destinations.
The Supreme Courthouse – Washington, D.C
The nation’s capital is home to a host of opportunities for historic tours. One of the main attractions is the marble-clad federal courthouse. Majestic and stark white, famous judges and politicians come to do their various civic duties in and around the court, making it not only bright and interesting, but functional and important. The Supreme Courthouse was first built in 1935, and has stood gloriously ever since.
The Great Pyramids at Giza – Cairo, Egypt
One of the many wonderful things that the African continent has to offer is the sight of the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. Three huge limestone tombs – one that holds Pharaoh Khufu, one that holds Pharaoh Khafre, one that holds Pharaoh Menkaure – make a gorgeous appearance on the horizon. Though other pyramids exist in Egypt, the Pyramids at Giza are the most famous. Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids at Giza are the only ones to have remained largely intact. The interiors offer a wealth of information about life among royalty in Ancient Egypt, and are a source of pride for modern Egyptians.
The Washington Monument – Washington, D.C.
The Nation’s capital isn’t the same without the regal obelisk overlooking the reflecting pool, catty-cornered to the Lincoln Memorial. Over five hundred-fifty feet tall, at the time it was built, it was the tallest building in the world. Made from a combination of marble and limestone, the Washington Monument, or the Obelisk, is a testament to the beauty of using natural materials.
