There are impressive monuments built for love. They hide mysteries in their walls that lead to imagine the stories that were lived there. Visitors encounter magical places, with a different energy that attracts them. They have a touch of melancholy, tragedy, passion and drama of lovers who sought to record how much they loved each other. They built these monuments as a form of tribute erected to their love.
What monuments were built for love?
The Taj Mahal, India
This was built by ShaJahan, the emperor of the Mongol Empire in India, exclusively for his fourth wife MumtazMahal. She died during the delivery of one of her children, which lasted 30 hours. Hence, each of his pieces are infused with a dose of love, passion and sadness for his dead beloved. Each white marble, gems and precious stones mark the passionate love story of the emperor and his wife.
This wonderful palace began to be built after the death of MumtazMahal in 1631. And it is one of the most visited sites. Not only because of its love story but because it is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. In addition, it is located in the heart of India, making it a must for visitors.
Construction of the Taj Mahal
Since 1631, this monument built for love began to be built, surrounded by intrigues, revenges and power struggles of the imperial family, taking more than twenty years to complete. Its cost was about Rs 32 million, an exorbitant amount for the time.
During the construction process of this monument built for love , more than 20,000 people participated. They worked day and night with the help of 1,000 elephants to transport materials. According to the legend, at the end of the work, the architects and all those who worked on the construction of the Taj Mahal were cut off their hands. In order that a similar monument was never created, that could impact more than this or overshadow it.
For its construction, the architects and the emperor selected marble as the main element, which they brought from Rajasthan, Tibet, Afghanistan and China. In addition, up to 30 varieties of precious gems are embedded in its walls. The central mausoleum, where the two tombs of the imperial couple are, is white inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones.
The style of the Taj Mahal
As for style, the Taj Mahal has an interesting combination. The Mughal and Persian style is reflected in this monument built for love, especially in the mosaics; and the Islamic one in the minarets and in the mosque. These styles base their structure on symmetry and self-replication. However, in Taj Mahal the emperor’s grave is larger than that of his wife. Because in Mughal culture the grave of the man must be greater than that of the woman.
A curious aspect that attracts the attention of visitors is the fact that the walls of this monument built for love are transformed, achieving up to 10 different shades during the day, even at night. Due to the properties of white marble and the intensity of the sun, light is reflected at all times. Therefore, at dawn its walls acquire pinkish tones. In the mornings when the sun is at its peak they are of a bright white color. Already at night, in the glow of the moon, the palace takes on a coloration like burnished gold, fascinating!
The America House, the Palace of Linares, Spain
This is another of the monuments built for love. It was built in 1873 by the architect Carlos Colubi, commissioned by the Marquises of Linares. Its history is very particular and mysterious. The legend tell us that this building is cursed. Because the Marquis Jose de Murga married his stepsister, a humble young woman, to which his father was opposed.
Don Mateo, the Marquis’ father, when his son confesses that he is in love with a girl named Raimunda de Osorio, angry and worried, sends him to London to separate them, without telling him the real reason. Soon after, the old businessman passed away and his son returned to the capital.
In this way, he returns to Spain and becomes the Marquis of Linares, marrying his beloved. However, he was cruelly surprised to find a letter from his father’s handwriting. In it he testified of his blood relationship with Raimunda. He said: “My reaction, my dear son, will have surprised you, (…) but that girl is your sister.”
Heartbroken and confused, the young marquis asked Pope Leo XIII for help in deciding what to do. The Pope dictated a papal bull that was titled Casticonvivere, which means “to live together, but in chastity.” However, they decided to go further and had a daughter, named Raimunda, who was killed at birth.
In this way, the dramatic and tragic panorama of this love story has elements that characterize it. A half-sibling couple in love, a father who keeps an unspeakable secret and the influence of the Vatican. This legend is 145 years old. Currently it continues to arouse the interest of visitors who want to know more about what this building in Paseo de Recoletos hides.
The Linares Palace and the paranormal
The last heiress who lived in this monument built for love was Maria Villapadierna. After his death it was the headquarters of several companies.In 1989 it passed into the hands of the City Council, which rehabilitated it. In this process of rehabilitation, both the workers and the security guards claimed to have heard noises, footsteps and voices from beyond the grave saying: “I had a daughter, my daughter Raimunda, I never heard her say mom…” among other expressions.
True or false, it is a fascinating story that draws the attention of local and foreign visitors, and that gives the place a magical and interesting touch, derived from a tragic love story, which are generally stories that arouse curiosity or the interest of different types of public, even the most skeptical.
In this way, the building becomes a site worth visiting. For this reason, the City Council decided to reopen it to the public in 1992 as the headquarters of the America House. This monument built for love shows a valuable historical and artistic heritage. At the same time representing a significant tourist attraction. Visitors can get to know its different rooms guided by specialists in History and Art. These relate the hidden and mysterious past of one of the most impressive residences in Madrid in the 19th century.
ALFA