Taj Mahal

Agra, India

Architecture

5 Stunning Architectural Domes Around the World

One of the most recognizable buildings on the planet, the Taj Mahal was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the mausoleum in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631, and its designer was the talented architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori. A large part of what makes the Taj Mahal so striking is its 75-foot-tall gleaming white marble dome, a type dubbed an "onion dome" due to its shape and color. The inlay work of precious stones, floral design, and intricate motif is impressive. Interestingly, the dome's design also causes a single note from a flute to echo five times due to the unique acoustics. Four smaller domes and four minarets cluster around the largest one in the center, which reaches a commanding height of 240 feet.

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