Is Taj Mahal the only symbol of love? These 8 monuments will tell you why it is not

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had around 20,000 artisans build the white marble mausoleum in remembrance of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took more than two decades to erect the tomb that shines like a jewel in India’s crown. But does that make Taj Mahal the only epitaph of love?

Here’s a look at 8 famous monuments that too have a lovestory:

1. Coral Castle, Florida, United States

The famous Coral Castle would not be there had it not been for a 16-year-old runaway bride Agnes Scuffs, who had a change of heart the day before her wedding to Ed Leedskalnin. A moonstruck Ed was so shaken that he left his native Latvia and headed for Florida. He toiled during night with the help of a lantern and absolutely no one around.

After 28 years, in 1951, what the world stumbled upon was a magnificent castle. Believe it or not, this man who stands 5 feet tall and weighs only 100 pounds, erected this castle all all by himself! His handiwork of moving over 1,100 tons of coral rock still remains a mystery. Though rumours suggest he did it using “magnetism”, we quip ‘the attraction of love’ that is. Ed’s genius construction sure gets an edge over his peers’.

2. Thornewood Castle, Washington, United States

Twenty years after their marriage, once Anna, the beloved wife of Chester Thorne, an early 20^th century millionaire in Washington, wished for a castle of their own. And hubby dearest was no late in commissioning a noted architect to craft her dream to reality, even though it consumed three shiploads of treasures from Europe. Not just this, he also had Olmsted Brothers carve a wonderful garden for her.

3. Chandor Gardens, Weatherford, United States

Artist Douglas Chandor was so smitten by his wife Ina Kuteman that he planned a landscape of flowers in her hometown Weatherford, Texas just a year after their marriage in 1935.  The garden is of no garden variety, to say the least. The couple worked together here until Douglas’ death in 1953. It’s strength are the exquisite Chinese-and-English styled designs and the 30 feet man-made waterfall installed in it. Larger-than-life is Douglas’ living artwork!

4. Kellie’s Castle, Malaysia

Scotsman William Kellie Smith and his wife Agnes lived happily with their daughter in a Moorish-style manor on a knoll by the river Kinta in Malaysia. After years of struggle to conceive another child when they welcomed their son in 1915, it was time for them to celebrate in a grand way. The result was a castle in Perak. Sad that William breathed his last while he was away in Portugal to buy his castle’s elevator.  This is why the marvel is often dubbed as Kellie’s Folly. However, if you want to pay a visit, here’s an elevator pitch to get you some thrill: The castle is believed to be haunted and has hidden rooms and secret underground tunnels. Is that enough for goosebumps?

5. Boldt Castle, Heart Island, New York State

It was when George C Boldt, the millionaire proprietor of the famous Waldrof Astoria Hotel in New York City, was thinking of a utopian home-away-from-home for his beloved wife Louise, that he landed on the perfect thing. Guess what? Heart Island — an island that looks quite like that organ of your body which teaches you love, if we were to go by the common belief. More than 300 artisans joined hands to build this six-story 120-room castle.

6. Mirabell Palace, Austria

This is how Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau liked to surprise his concubine Salome Alt (hence Mirabell Palace was originally known as Schloss Altenau). Schloss Altenau aka Mirabell Palace and Gardens in Salzburg gives a standing ovation to the couple’s 15 offsprings.

7. Kodai-ji temple, Japan

He was a warlord and she was no commonplace wife. When Tototomi Hideyoshi, the 16^th century warlord, died, his wife Nene built a temple in Kyoto, Japan paying a tribute to her lovable husband. Acknowledging his liking for tea, Nene too chiseled two tea houses on its premises. Cheers to that!

8. Sweetheart Abbey, Scotland

She was so into him that when he bade goodbye she embalmed his heart, placed it in an ivory casket and carried it along with her always. Devorgilla, the widow of John de Balliol, erected this monastery in Scotland in 1273 named Dulce Cor, which in Latin means “sweet heart”. When she died she was buried in front of the abbey, still hugging her husband’s embalmed heart. Oh, we heart it!

So, planning to take a cue from one these love stories and build a Taj Mahal for your love? Why not!