ETYM Latin mausoleum, Greek, from Mausoleus, king of Caria, to whom Artemisia, his widow, erected a stately monument.
A large tomb, usually above ground.
Monumental tomb, especially elaborate.
Large, free-standing, sumptuous tomb. The term derives from the magnificent sepulchral monument built for King Mausolus of Caria (died 353 BC) by his wife Artemisia at Halicarnassus in Asia Minor (modern-day Bodrum in Anatolia, Turkey); it was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, little remains at the site of the original monument, although some fragmentary sculptures from it are kept in the British Museum, London.
Later examples of mausolea include the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (5th century AD) at Ravenna, Italy, the Taj Mahal, and the sepulchral chapel built by Queen Victoria for Prince Albert at Frogmore, England.