This amazing mausoleum was commissioned in 1632 by the ruler Shah Jahan to honor his wife that died in childbirth in 1631. The forty three acre complex sits on the Yamuna River across from Nepal in Uttar Pradesh, India. Gardens and guest house are part of the complex that was added after the completion of the Taj Mahal in 1648. The entire complex was completed in 1653. The architectural styles comprise traditional Hindu and Islamic influence. Over twenty thousand North Indian workers were used to build this gorgeous property. source: http://tajmahal.gov.in/creation.html
Taj Mahal, 1987, From the collection of: Archaeological Survey of India
Gjon Mili, 1957-08, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
While I was driving north on Highway One on the California coast from Santa Monica to Carmel, I wished I had taken the time to visit the Hearst Castle as I have always wanted to see the marvelous structure and tour the extensive grounds, however, touring it properly would take a week. It is located in San Simeon, California and was complete by 1947 by William Randolph Hearst and his architect, Julia Morgan, who used Spanish and Mexican styles to create the gorgeous structure. He dreamed of building a retreat he called; La Cuesta Encantada which is Spanish for Enchanted Hill. The Hearst Castle consists of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, and walkways. The view of the Pacific Ocean is spectacular as well. Source: http://hearstcastle.org/history-behind-hearst-castle/
Francis Miller, 1964, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The Lincoln Memorial sits on the west end of the National Mall, it was constructed of white stone, has 36 columns (which represent the 36 states that comprised the United States at the time) and is of the Neoclassical Greek temple architectural style. Henry Bacon designed the structure that was started in 1914 and opened to the public in 1922. The statue of Abraham Lincoln took four years to complete and was hand carved by Piccerilli Brothers under the supervision of sculptor Daniel Chester French. Source; http://washington.org/DC-guide-to/lincoln-memorial
Kylemore Castle at Letterfrack in County Galway, around 1880, Thomas J Wynne, 1880/1880, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Kylemore Castle (now Kylemore Abby) took four years to build and was completed in 1871.
It located in Connemara, Ireland, just north of Galway City. It is built from granite from Dalkey and limestone from Ballinasloe. The property consists of one thousand acres and is a classic gothic structure. The Victorian Walled Garden is part of the property that sits on the banks of the Connemara Lake where many sightings of a magnificent white horse that emerges from the lake (it is said) every seven years.Spurce:http://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/republic-of-ireland/galway/kylemore/all/
View of the palace and gardens of Versailles, seen from the avenue de Paris, Pierre Patel, 1668, From the collection of: Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles in France began on the site of Louie the Thirteenth’s hunting lodge beginning in 1623 and it was made of brick and stone. In 1661 through 1678 it was enlarged by three new wings made of stone that surrounded the original structure. It was enlarged several times through 1770 by several monarchs using myriad designers and architects. Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles#Architectural_history
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