Many of the most memorable monuments in the world commemorate events. The Taj Mahal (above) is the tomb of a Persian princess, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. It was built by her distraught husband, Shah Jahan. Though the belief that he planned to erect a black Taj on the opposite side of the Yamuna River for himself has been discredited, the white marble mausoleum still stands as an enduring testament of his love.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate (above) was constructed in 1788 to represent peace but, during the Cold War, it became a symbol of a divided Germany with the Berlin Wall running in front of it. Now opened to east-west passage, it marks the country’s reunification.
For the practical purpose of keeping out Manchu invaders, China’s 8,850km-long Great Wall of China (above) was completed by the Ming dynasty. It also doubled as a trade route for centuries.
And though the Statue of Liberty (above) was built in 1886 to celebrate America’s freedom from British rule, it became a symbol of welcome and hope to immigrants in the early 20th century.
– TEXT BY ADRIAN MOURBY
PHOTOS: VISIT BEIJING, BRANDENBUG GATE, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
