Love often doesn’t demand grand gestures, but when it comes to the royals or the rich, these gestures take on a meaning that stands the test of time. As the month of love begins, we’ve rounded up some of the grandest monuments of love, which will surely make your heart warm and fuzzy. By Anushka Goel
These monuments of love, as we like to call them, are a testament to the love these partners had for their other halves and will surely appease the romantic in you. However, we take no responsibility if your significant other demands a gesture as grand after reading this story!
Monuments of love for those who love romance
Swallow’s Nest Castle, Ukraine
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There’s not much known about the history of this castle, except that a German noble built it in 1912. The castle started out as a small wooden cottage and was eventually built into a castle when the German noble visited the place on his honeymoon.
Located on top of the 130 feet high Aurora Cliff, the neo-gothic structure has stood the test of time, even surviving an earthquake. Now, this monument of love is a major tourist attraction, especially visited by couples to dine in the restaurant within the castle structure.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
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There’s not a thing that remains unsaid about this monument of love, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal (and later, of Shah Jahan as well) forms the centrepiece of the marble marvel. This was commissioned after Mumtaz Mahal’s death. The main structure of the Taj Mahal, which is the central dome flanked by four identical minarets on all four sides, was said to be completed in 1648, while the other structures — gardens et cetera — took a few more years to complete.
About 20,000 craftsmen, calligraphers, and more were brought to Agra to build this marvellous structure, one of the seven wonders of the world. It is said that Shah Jahan cut off the hands of the craftsmen once the construction was complete so that no one is able to replicate this structure and its magnanimity.
Boldt Castle, New York, the USA
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A major tourist attraction on Heart Island in upstate New York, this monument of love was built by George C. Boldt, a wealthy hotelier for his wife Louise. The six-storey castle-like structure was commissioned by him in 1900, as a present to his wife. The construction of the castle was stopped abruptly after Louise’s death in 1904.
Boldt never returned to the island after that, though he continued to spend summers at other islands. The unfinished structure lay in shambles until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority decided to purchase Heart Island and the nearby yacht house for a mere USD 1 in 1977, under the condition that all revenues from the place will be used in restoration and preservation of the island.
Kellie’s Castle, Malaysia
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Legend has it that William Kellie Smith, a plantation owner who went to Malaysia from Scotland, built this monument of love for his then-pregnant wife Agnes. Agnes was unhappy with the small wooden home they owned and missed her home country a lot. So, Smith decided to erect this castle, on a hilltop, in the architectural styles from back home, with the motive to bring Scotland to Agnes, since she could not travel back there.
Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad, India
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Commissioned by Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb, Bibi Ka Maqbara will remind one of its cousins, the Taj Mahal, and is often called ‘Taj of the Deccan’. Bibi Ka Maqbara is the resting place of Begum Rabia-ud-Durrani. Aurangzeb’s wife, and was built by her son Azam Shah. About half in size to its northern cousin, Bibi Ka Maqbara is still a beautiful monument to visit and reminds one of the grandeur of love.
Petit Trianon, Versailles, France
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Built between 1762 and 1768 by King Louis XV of France, the Petit Trianon is a monument of love built as a gift for his longtime love and mistress, Madame de Pompadour. However, she died four years before the retreat could be fully constructed.
Later, the Petit Trianon was gifted to Marie Antoinette, King Louis XVI’s 19-year-old wife. She decked up the place to suit her personal tastes and preferences and allowed no one — visitors or servants — to enter the premise. She used the place as her personal hideout or retreat to distance herself from the main residence and the monarchy’s rigid lifestyle.
Torrechiara Castle, Parma Province, Italy
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The Torrechiara Castle in Italy was built by Pier Maria II de’ Rossi for his long-time love and mistress, Bianca Pellegrini d’Arluno. Built between 1448 and 1460, the castle, which used Middle Age and Renaissance architecture, is said to have been a summer home for Pellegrini and features frescoes detailing the couple’s story. After her death, Pellegrini was also buried here, and the place is now a national monument visited by tourists and lovers.
Sweetheart Abbey, Scotland
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Sweetheart Abbey is a monument built by a widow to showcase her lasting love for her husband. Founded by Dervorguilla of Galloway, the monument is a memorial of the love she had for her husband, John de Balliol. It is built in red stone, and today it consists of her tomb alongside Balliol’s embalmed heart, which she contained in a casket of ivory and silver she passed away.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Austria
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Located in Salzburg, the Mirabell Palace and Gardens were built in 1606 by prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as a token of his love for Salome Alt. Said to be built within six months, the palace is among the most picturesque wedding destinations today, and the likes of Mozart are said to have made music here.
Kodai-Ji Temple, Japan
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Built in 1606, the Kodai-Ji Temple in Kyoto is built in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan’s greatest historical figures, by his wife, Kodai-in (also known as Nene). NEne built this temple to pray for her late husband and is also enshrined here herself.
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