While most humans are buried in unremarkable graves, a rare few are interred inside tombs so magnificent that they attract visitors from around the world.
The final resting places of freedom fighters, banished emperors, revered authors and the unnamed ancestors, these are 10 of the world's most interesting mausoleums.
Sligo, Republic of Ireland
They are 5,000 years old and steeped in mystery. Scattered through hills in the tranquil countryside of County Sligo, in the north of Ireland, are a series of court tombs.
There are dozens of these megalithic mausoleums, which are built into caves, in the complex at Carrowkeel.
After driving up into the Bricklieve Mountains, I parked my car and ascended by foot for half an hour until I had striking, 360-degree views of Sligo’s sprawling green fields.
High up here are piles of stones, each with a single tiny opening. It is not known who is buried within these distinctive burial mounds.
Paris, France
Topped by a giant dome, fronted by towering columns and adorned with marble, the Pantheon is one of Paris’s most photogenic tourist attractions. Its art and architecture commemorate key moments in France's history.
As I walked through its main hall, staring up at its towering ceiling, beneath my feet the basement necropolis houses extraordinary Frenchmen, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame novelist Victor Hugo, philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Second World War Resistance hero Jean Pierre Moulin and Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille reading system.
Hong Kong
Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb stood for 2,000 years before slowly becoming encircled by Hong Kong's forest of high rises. It was discovered in 1955 and has been studied ever since by academics trying to identify its occupants. But the mystery lingers.
I got off at Cheung Sha Wan Station, and walked through serene Han Garden to reach the museum that flanks this tomb in the city’s north. Inside the small but informative venue I took in maps, photos, videos and scale models of the tomb, before peering through a window into the small mausoleum.
Seoul, South Korea
At first glance I thought they were just hillocks in Seonjeongneung park, a forested green space in Seoul’s upmarket Gangnam neighbourhood. Then I realised that within those grass-covered mounds lay the tombs of imperial figures from Korea’s Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
This Unesco World Heritage Site contains shrines, ancient statues and the mausoleums of 15th-century King Seongjong, his wife Queen Jeonghyeon and the 16th-century King Jungjong.
Delhi, India
Without Humayun’s Tomb, there would be no Taj Mahal. This colossal, 16th-century necropolis in India’s capital is home to the remains of dozens of leading figures from the Mughal Empire and is one of Delhi’s top tourist attractions.
With its delightful blend of domes, minarets, columns and arches, Humayun’s Tomb helped pioneered the Mughal style of architecture. This was then used to design key structures across the subcontinent, most prominently the Taj Mahal. I actually prefer Humayun’s Tomb, which is less crowded and enhanced by pretty gardens.
Yangon, Myanmar
Curiosity drove me to visit the tomb of one of the most influential men in Indian history, the country's last Muslim Emperor. I wanted to know why such a famous Indian man was buried in Yangon, Myanmar, and how Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar ended up being laid to rest in a small, basic crypt in the basement of a low-profile building.
After visiting the gold, green and white-coloured Dargah of Bahadur Shah Zafar, this mystery was revealed. As Emperor of India’s Mughal Empire, Zafar rebelled against the occupying British, who banished him to Yangon where he died in relative anonymity.
Hanoi, Vietnam
To me, it looked like a modern version of Athens’ revered Parthenon, a hulking stone structure in downtown Hanoi that’s ringed by lofty columns. As I reached Ba Dinh Square, I peered across its wide lawn at this giant mausoleum of the most influential man in the country’s modern history.
Ho Chi Minh was the founding father of Communist Vietnam. In the early 1970s, a few years after he died, work began on this grand monument, which tourists can enter to see his body on display in a glass sarcophagus.
Rabat, Morocco
I did not expect photographing the interior of a tomb to be thrilling. But the Mausoleum of Mohammed V is so layered with intricate and colourful design elements that each image I snapped seemed more remarkable than the last.
The facade of this 1970s tomb for Morocco’s late ruler is decorated with intricate stonework, positioned alongside Hassan Tower and its nest of 200 weathered stone pillars. But it is the interior that is astonishing, its walls cloaked in mesmerising mosaics made from Zellij tiles.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur is so attractive that tourists could easily miss the equally stunning tomb adjacent to it. Called the National Heroes Mausoleum, this open-air tomb is topped by a roof shaped like a giant, white and yellow umbrella.
In the middle of its shimmering, marble floor are four stone coffins that contain the remains of Malaysian political leaders. The green, landscaped garden to its rear adds to the colour and visual appeal of this majestic tomb.
Rome, Italy
Castel Sant'Angelo, a monumental castle that looms over downtown Rome, almost overshadows neighbouring Vatican City. This circular building on the northern bank of the River Tiber was built almost 1,900 years ago as the tomb of Roman Emperor Hadrian.
In the 5th century it was converted into a fortress, and later became a hideaway for popes who escaped there from Vatican City during times of conflict. Now it’s a popular tourist attraction. I was able to explore many sections of this complex, which is now a museum exhibiting ancient artworks and weaponry.
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
SQUADS
South Africa:
Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada
Coach: Ottis Gibson
Bangladesh:
Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.
Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
John%20Wick%3A%20Chapter%204
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PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
1 Man City 26 20 3 3 63 17 63
2 Liverpool 25 17 6 2 64 20 57
3 Chelsea 25 14 8 3 49 18 50
4 Man Utd 26 13 7 6 44 34 46
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5 West Ham 26 12 6 8 45 34 42
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6 Arsenal 23 13 3 7 36 26 42
7 Wolves 24 12 4 8 23 18 40
8 Tottenham 23 12 4 8 31 31 39
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
UAE%20Warriors%20fight%20card
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RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Sean Kirrane (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Falaj Hazza – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Arim W’Rsan, Dane O’Neill, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Al Basrah – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Kalifano De Ghazal, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Oud Al Touba – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Pharitz Oubai, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Sieh bin Amaar – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Oxord, Richard Mullen, Abdalla Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: AF Ramz, Sean Kirrane, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Al Saad – Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Sea Skimmer, Gabriele Malune, Kareem Ramadan
