Marble is a material used by architects and engineers for centuries. It has been used by kings, emperors, and leaders shaping the core of foundations of civilization itself. In this article, Terrazzo Australian Marble will walk you through how this material influenced mankind’s history.
Hope this article will enlighten its readers about the beauty of marble. Through history, one can get inspiration for their projects.
Greece: Odeon of Herodes Atticus Theatre
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theater structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. The building was completed in 161 AD. It was renovated in 1950. The theater was comprised of marble.
Rome: The Pantheon
One of the world’s largest concrete domes, the Pantheon was constructed in 125 A.D. It is composed of marble. It is considered a top tourist destination in Rome.
Taj Mahal
The Taj is an ivory-white marble mausoleum situated on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra. In 2007, the mausoleum was the winner of the New7Wonders of the World (2000–2007).
This was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (1628–1658). It is used to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb is the centerpiece of a 42-acre complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenelated wall.
The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in 1653. The cost was estimated at the time to be around 32 million rupees, which would be approximately 52.8 billion rupees (US$827 million) in today’s time.
US Supreme Court
The US Supreme court is one of the highest offices in the country. It is valued at 43 million dollars. Most of the building comprised of marble from ceilings to floors. It was estimated that the US government has spent over 3 million USD for marble alone.
Washington Monument
The obelisk shows the might of the USA. It a symbol of unity among her people. The obelisk consists of three different types of marbles. It is considered one of the top tourist destination in Washington DC.
Bonus: Famous Modern Buildings that Utilize Marble
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
This is one of the most stunning mosque built. It is composed of marble. Observe how Islamic design and architecture mesh well with the material.
Library of Birmingham
Considered to be Europe’s biggest library. It cost over 189 million pounds to build. The library utilizes terrazzo marbles for both outdoor and indoor.
Oslo Opera House, Oslo, Norway
The opera house was aimed to combine both modern architecture and classical feel. It has a sloping roof that allows pedestrians to walk to the top of the structure. The total area is 38,500 sqm.
To express is grandeur, the outside is a mix of white granite and white carrara marble imported from Italy. This is the same type of marble used to carve Michelangelo’s David, making this opera house truly impressive to behold.